Lagos Guber: Gov Sanwo-Olu wins at the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Friday, affirmed the election of Sanwo-Olu as the authentic governor of Lagos in the March 18 general electron. The five-man panel of the Apex Court thereby rubbished the appeal brought before it by the Labour Party(LP) and its governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. The court held that the petition seeking the disqualification of Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy Obafemi Hamza from the poll totally lacked merit. In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Garba Lawal, the court held that the allegations of renouncing Nigerian citizenship by the Lagos State Deputy Governor for the United States of America cannot be used to disqualify the respondents. The Apex Court said that since Obafemi Hamza is a Nigerian by birth, his acquisition of American citizen has not taken his right as a Nigerian from him. It also maintained that the Petitioners failed prove with credible evidence that the Deputy Governor indeed renounced his Nigerian citizenship. Consequence to the above, the court upheld that the decision of the Court of Appeal which had on November 15 dismissed the earlier appeal filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and Labour Party against the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Recall that the Court of Appeal three-member panel led by Yargata Nimpar, had in a unanimous decision affirmed the judgement of the Lagos State Election Petitions Tribunal that upheld the victory of Sanwo-Olu as the elected governor of Lagos in the March 18 election.

Guber Judgment: Kano, Bauchi, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi Govs in Court as S/Court decides their fate

In wait for their fates on their respective legal battles, at least five sitting state governors have stormed the Supreme Court to witness judgments their appeals. They are Abba Kabir Yusuf for Kano, Bala Mohammed for Bauchi, Caleb Mutfwang for Plateau, and Dauda Lawal for Zamfara and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi. Former Plateau state governor and currently a senator, Simon Lalong is also inside the courtroom for the make or mar verdict. As expected, the governors arrived in the courtroom with a retinue of followers who were, however, turned back immediately after escorting their principals into the courtroom. At the time of this report, the courtroom has been jam-packed by lawyers, journalists, and accredited political party leaders. Meanwhile, the justices are being awaited into the courtroom for judgment delivery. The states where their governors are expected to know their fates on whether to remain in office or be shoveled out are Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Cross River, Abia, Zamfara, Cross River and Ebonyi.

Former President Jonathan Is Bereaved 

Madam Obebhatein Jonathan, the sister of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has died at the age of seventy. Her demise occurred on Thursday at the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa, following a brief illness. The news of her passing was confirmed in a statement issued by Jonathan’s media office, which described the deceased as a retired teacher and businesswoman. Known affectionately as Amissi, she was celebrated for her life of dedication to God and service to humanity. Madam Jonathan was a devout Christian, praised for her virtuous character and her role as a model of integrity within and beyond her community. Her commitment to her faith and her exemplary life had a significant impact on those around her. The statement from the former president’s office also provided details about the funeral arrangements. The burial for Madam Jonathan has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, 2024, with the family expected to announce the full details of the funeral rites in due course. Madam Obebhatein Jonathan is survived by three children, siblings, including His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, and her mother, Mama Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.

Akwa ibom: Umo Eno remains Gov as S/Court dismisses APC, YPP, NNPP’s petitions

The Supreme Court, Thursday, affirmed the election of Umo Eno as the governor of Akwa Ibom State, in the March 18, governorship election in the state The seven-man panel of the Apex court, lead by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the petition following the withdrawal of three separate appeals brought before it by the petitioners alleging certificate forgery. They failed to convinced the panel that Emo Eno Bassey and Bassey Eno Emo were not the same and as such that the governor allegedly forged his Secondary School Certificate. Consequently, the lead counsel to the respective parties withdrew their separate appeals as the apex court panel of Justices hinted that they have no merit. The Petitioners in the matter are All Progressive Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Akanimo Udofia, Young Progressive Party(YPP) and its gubernatorial candidate, Akpan Albert Bassey as well as that of New Nigeria People’s Party(NNPP)and its governorship candidate, John James Akpan Udoedehe. Their arguments especially forgery allegations did not go down well with the Apex Court Justices who queried the lawyers on whether the West African Examinations Council WAEC gave evidence to establish the criminal allegations. Upon admission that WAEC did not testify in the matter, the lawyers opted and separately withdrew the appeal. This prompted Justice Abba-Aji to dismiss them following no objections from lawyers to the various respondents. The Court did not award cost against any of the lawyers to the appellants having voluntarily withdrew their cases on ground of want of merit. The Court of Appeal in Lagos had in November last year affirmed the election of Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State in the governorship election held on March 18, 2023. The appellate court in its judgment dismissed three separate appeals, filed against the governor’s election. While affirming the September 28, 2023 judgments of the election petition tribunal, the three-member panel of Justices headed by Festus Obande dismissed the appeal brought by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Bassey Akpan, and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Eno, and the Peoples Democratic Party. Justice Obande also granted judgments in favour of the governor against the appeals of the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, John Udoedehe, as well as Akanimo Udofia, of the All Progressives Congress. The appellate court declared in the unanimous judgments that all three appeals lacked merit.

Ogun Guber: Supreme Court reserves judgment seeking Abiodun’s removal

The Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in the March 18, governorship election. Adebutu’s appeal is seeking the nullification of the declaration of Dapo Abiodun as winner of the election. Specifically, he is challenging Abiodun’s re-election on the ground that the Electoral Act, 2022, was not adhered to, citing corrupt practices and issues of non-qualification. Specifically, PDP and Adebutu want the Supreme Court to set aside and dismiss the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had on November 23, affirmed the decision of the Tribunal in upholding Adiodun’s victory. Recall that two Judges of the court below had dismissed the appeal filed by Adebutu for lacking in merit, while Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang saw merit in the petition and thereby ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return presented to Abiodun and conduct another election in 99 polling units where elections were disrupted. In adopting his brief of arguments, Chris Uche SAN, counsel for the appellants said INEC ought to have conducted fresh elections in 99 polling units where elections were cancelled and not declared a winner. He said the return of the governor by INEC was unlawful and the election was wrongly concluded because corrupt practices were allegedly manifest during the March 18, governorship poll. Abiodun Owonikoko, counsel for the first respondent(INEC), asked the apex court to dismiss the appeal. He maintained that governorship and presidential election is not determined by margin of lead but by spread of votes, according to Section 179 of the 1999 Constitution. Wole Olanipekun, counsel for second respondent, urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal which challenges concurrent decisions of the two lower courts. INEC had declared Abiodun winner of the governorship election after polling 276,298 votes to defeat his closest rival Adebutu, who polled 262,383 votes.

Betta Edu: Why Youths Aren’t Fit To Lead Nigeria – Daddy Freeze

Media icon Daddy Freeze has expressed his viewpoint that older corrupt politicians should retain power instead of transferring leadership to younger individuals.  He made these remarks during an Instagram live session following the suspension of Minister Betta Edu over alleged fraud, emphasizing that the lack of experience led to her involvement in corruption within a short period.  Freeze suggested that older politicians have a better understanding of the systems, while he criticized youths for potentially mishandling the system if in power, stating,  “I’d rather have an experienced older individual comprehend the system than a young person who might recklessly exploit it.”  He further emphasized his preference for seasoned politicians like Tinubu, Atiku, or Obi over youths, suggesting some youths lack a moral compass. He said, “I don’t want youths to lead Nigeria. I would rather have an old thief that understands the system than a young thief that would just steal the system senselessly. You never do minister work how many months dem Don catch you already. “At least, other person wey dem dey catch, e dey reach like three years later. Someone who isn’t 40 yet, I’m 10 years older than her [Betta Edu]. She is a proper youth. “Those you saying you don’t want old people, for me, all this old people whether it’s Tinubu, Atiku or Obi, I prefer them to youths. Nigerian youths? Some of them were born deficient of a conscience.”

I Never Held Private Meeting With Obasanjo – Ohanaeze Leader

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has clarified that he did not engage in any private discussions with former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo during the latter’s closed-door meeting with Ohanaeze chieftains in Owerri, the Imo State capital. Iwuanyanwu made this statement during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday. The meeting, which took place at the residence of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, had sparked curiosity due to its private nature and the status of the attendees. According to the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okey Emuchay, the meeting involved discussions on “issues of mutual interest” between the former President and the Ohanaeze chieftains. Emuchay described the meeting as symbolic and crucial, noting that it led to fruitful deliberations. However, he refrained from providing specific details about the topics discussed during the visit. The meeting and Iwuanyanwu’s subsequent clarification indicate the ongoing engagement of prominent leaders in addressing issues concerning the Igbo community and Nigeria at large. Emuchay said, “Issues of mutual interest were discussed, and the Ohanaeze PG informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his name for the sacrifices he has made. “Iwuanyanwu had recalled Obasanjo’s role in ending the civil war with the slogan of no victor no vanquished; repayment of huge external debts and recovery of the economy during his time as President. “He informed the former President that the Igbo nation will bestow honour on him appropriately.” The former President was accompanied by Chief Oyewole Fasawe; while some Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains who were at the meeting included Emuchay; former Minister for Aviation, Kema Chikwe; Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Chief Tony Ukasanya, among others.

Abia Guber: S/Court reserves judgment in PDP’s appeal against Otti

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, yesterday, reserved judgment in an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Okey Ahiwe, seeking the nullification of the election of Alex Oti as the Governor of Abia State. The five-man panel of the justices lead by Justice John Inyang Okoro, reserved the judgment till a date to be communicated to parties after taking their final arguments. The PDP in it’s argument, alleged that Ahiwe was short-changed with over 84,000 votes during the collation of the governorship election results. The party, had through it’s counsel, Uche Ihediuwa, SAN, alleged that the agent of the PDP was chased away at the collation center and as such, was not obliged a copy of the results as required by law. He claimed that his client had to approach the All Progressives Congress (APC) before it could access results sheets and discovered the alleged malpractices. The governor, in his defense asked the court to dismiss the appeal for wants of merit. Gov. Otti, represented by Abiodun John Owonikoko, SAN, informed the court that Otti scored over 174,000 votes at the March 18, 2023 governorship election to emerge victorious, adding that even if the purported 84,000 short-changed votes were added to PDP, the appellants would still not win. He noted that a purported result sheet produced by the PDP before the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal was rejected because it could not be read by the witness of the party. Gov. Alex Otti of the Labour Party(LP) was declared the winner of the governorship election in the Abia State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 22 March. He polled 175,466 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ahiwe of the PDP, who scored 88,529 votes. However, not satisfied with the out come of the election, Ahiwe and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikechi Emenike, separately challenged Otti’s victory at the tribunal. On 6th October 2023, the Tribunal dismissed the petitions by Ahiwe and Emenike and affirmed Otti’s election, which was later affirmed by the Appallate court.

Court declares Sen. Anyanwu authentic PDP national secretary

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has declared Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, the authentic National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Therefore, the court made an order of injunction, restraining the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary when Anyanwu’s four-year tenure is still running and subsisting until Dec. 9, 2025, in line with the party’s constitution. Justice Ekwo also declared that any meeting held or resolution reached by the party to prematurely remove or prevent Anyanwu from exercising the powers of his office would be in violation of Article 47 (1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), hence, becomes null and void and of no effect. The judge also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “from recognizing any purported appointment of any person as national secretary of the party whether in acting capacity or otherwise other than Anyanwu, the elected national secretary of the 1st defendant (PDP).” Recall that the court had, on Nov. 23, 2023, stopped the PDP from removing Anyanwu as national secretary pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter. The order followed an ex-parte motion by Dr Joshua Musa, SAN, on behalf of two members of the party; Geoffrey Ihentuge and Apollo’s Godspower. While Ihentuge is the Ikeduru Local Government chairman of the PDP in Imo, Godspower is the PDP chairman in Owerri Municipal Local Government of the state. The plaintiffs had sued the PDP; Umar Damagun, party’s acting national chairman; National Executive Committee (NEC); the National Working Committee (NWC) and INEC as 1st to 5th defendants respectively. The plaintiffs, who sought five reliefs, prayed for an order of interim injunction, restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants from carrying out the threat to remove the national secretary (Anyanwu). This, they said, was in violation of the provisions of Article 47 (1) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. They argued that Anyanwu was duly elected on Dec. 10, 2021, and was entitled to remain in office till Dec. 9, 2025. They said that an elected national officer of the 1st defendant cannot be arbitrarily removed from office in any manner without his resignation and in breach of the party’s constitution. But in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants’ counter affidavit, the party’s leadership averred that contrary to the plaintiffs’ argument, Anyanwu applied for leave of absence to enable him concentrate on his election as PDP candidate in the Imo governorship poll which took place on Nov. 11, 2023. They, therefore, said that contrary to Paragraphs 22 and 23 of the plaintiffs’ affidavit, the NWC approved the deputy national secretary to act in place of the national secretary as provided for in Article 36(2) of the party’s constitution. Meanwhile, when the matter was called for judgment, two lawyers announced appearance for parties interested to be joined in the suit. While G.E Ejekela announced appearance for Dr Ali Odefa, the national vice chairman of South East of PDP, P.O. Akpogwu represented Hon S.K.E. Ude-Okoye, who was listed as national secretary of the party. But plaintiffs’ counsel, Musa, called the attention of the court to Ude-Okoye’s motion for joinder filed on his behalf. The senior lawyer said though the motion was filed yesterday, he had responded to it. He, however, faulted the process on the grounds that the exhibits attached to the one served on him were different from the exhibits attached to other parties’. After much arguments, Akpogwu applied to withdraw the motion for joinder and the plaintiffs’ lawyer sought a cost of N1 million but the judge awarded a N100, 000 fine against the lawyer for filing an untidy process. Moving his motion for joinder on Odefa’s behalf, Ejekela said the application dated Dec. 22, 2023, was filed on Dec. 27, 2023. He urged the court to grant their prayer. But Musa, who opposed the plea, said a counter affidavit had been filed. He argued that the application was an attempt to arrest the judgment, urging the court to dismiss it for constituting an abuse of court process. Justice Ekwo then stood down the matter for ruling and judgment. Delivering the ruling, the judge dismissed Odefa’s motion for lack of merit and for being an abuse of court process. In his judgement, Ekwo held that the plaintiffs had been able to demonstrate, with credible evidence, the threat and move by the PDP leadership to remove its national secretary without due compliance with the provisions of the party’s constitution. “The court is duty bound to prevent that from happening. “The plaintiffs do not have to wait until the 1st — 4th defendants carry out their threat before coming to seek redress. “In such situation, the court is bound to grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.”

Plateau guber: S/Court reserves judgement on Gov Mutfwang’s appeal

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, Tuesday, reserved its judgement on appeal instituted by the Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, challenging the nullification of his election by the Court of Appeal. A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, adjourned the appeal for judgement, after all the parties argued their case and adopted their processes. In his argument, Governor Mutfwang, through his counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, prayed the court dismiss the judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which sacked him from office. Agabi, SAN, argued that after the tribunal properly evaluated both documentary and oral evidence that were adduced by the parties, dismissed as lacking in merit, the petition that was lodged against the outcome of the governorship election by candidate of the All Progressives Congress(APC)Mr. Nentawe Goshwe. He further submitted that the onus of conducting a primary election to select candidates to be sponsored in an election, rests on the National Executive organ of the party. “A number of exhibits were tendered to prove that valid Congress was conducted and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. “A video was played before the tribunal showing that congresses held and the person that instituted the court action was see in the video, participating in the process.” Concluding, he posited that the sponsorship and nomination of a candidate in an election, being a pre-election issue, was of jurisdiction of both the tribunal and the appellate court. On his part, the APC candidate, through Prof. Joseph Olatoke, SAN, asked the court to uphold the Court of Appeal judgement that ordered the INEC to issue Certificate of Return. He insisted that his is the candidate that garnered the highest number of valid votes in the governorship poll. According to him, PDP’ is structureless in the state, as it refuses to elect its State Executives as ordered by the court, hence, not capable of presenting a valid candidate in the governorship election. In the same vern, counsel to the APC, Mr. Omosanya Popoola, asked the court to uphold the judgement that sacked the Appellant from office.