Tribunal Affirms Election Of Kogi Gov Ododo

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May 27, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in the Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka, has again lost at the State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.

In the judgment delivered on Monday, the tribunal ruled against Ajaka and upheld election of Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the election.

The Election Petition Tribunal affirmed the election of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 election inKogi State, Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.

The three-member panel of justices, headed by Justice Ado Birnin-Kudu, held that the petition filled by the Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Murtala Ajaka was bereft of substance thus, dismissed.

The panel of Justices also held that the petitioners; the SDP and its candidate, Murtala Ajaka, failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in their petition.

Accordingly, the Tribunal panel members unanimously held that all the witness’ evidence filed before it were incompetent and full of inconsistencies.

The panel members agreed with the submissions of the respondents that the allegations of forgery raised in the petition were pre-election matters which ought to have been raised 14 days after the documents were submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The parties in the petition had adopted their final written addresses in the course of the proceedings.

In the petition, INEC, Ododo and the APC are listed as the 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

When the case was called on Friday, April 26, INEC, Ododo and APC’s lawyers opposed the move by Jibrin Okutepa (SAN) to lead the witness, Edidiong Udoh, a digital forensic expert, in evidence.

Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN); Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), who appeared for INEC, Ododo and APC respectively argued that the petitioners did not list the name of the witness in their proof of evidence and that the witness statement on oath was not front-loaded alongside the petition.

They also contended that the petitioners served the reports of the witness’ analysis on them 20 minutes before the commencement of the proceedings.

But Okutepa insisted that the forensic expert was listed on Page 56 of the petition as item 10, adding that his statement was also front-loaded.

Governor Otti Abolishes Indigene/Non Indigene Status, Says Equal Treatment For All Abia Residents

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The Source

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has assured residents of the State that his administration will not discriminate against them.

The Governor maintained that there will be no division in Abia under his watch as indigenes and non indigenes resident in the state will be treated equally.

He said that his administration does not care where a resident of Abia comes from, but was only interested in the competence and what the person can offer the state in service.

Otti said this at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia during the thanksgiving service to mark his one year in office.

“I think what is most important is also that this administration does not discriminate, we don’t even want to know what part of Abia you’re coming from.

“We don’t even want to know what part of Igboland you come from. Once you reside here (in Abia), you are a part of us.

“That is why today, we have for the first time a Permanent Secretary, who does not come from Abia State, who does not come from any state in the South East but comes from Edo state.”

Otti, who stated that his administration refused to throw a celebration party for his one year in office, announced that a multi-billion naira terminal project which would have all motor parks and a railway station in one place, would be flagged off by his administration in Umuahia on Tuesday.

According to him, the city of Umuahia, which he described in the past as a glorified village, would witness a total infrastructural turnaround in the next one year with railway coming from Aba.

He appealed for more prayers and support from Abia citizens, saying that his administration would continue to do the right thing no matter the criticism from the opposition.

Uzodimma To Children: We Are Dedicated To Supporting You In Every Possible Way

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The Source

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May 27, 2024

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Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured the Children in Imo State in particular and their counterparts all over the country, that his government is committed to supporting them in every possible way to achieve their fullest potential in life.

Governor Uzodimma has also assured the Children that his government will continue to create an enabling environment that is badly needed by them, as future leaders of the country, to be what they want to be in a positive way.

The Governor’s reassuring comments were part of his good will message to commemorate May 27, a day set aside for Children globally, and marked with pomp and circumstance in Nigeria.

Taking to his social media platform, Governor Uzodimma counselled that it is important we celebrate our Children, not just on May 27, but every day.

His words: “To our Children, as you celebrate today, remember that your dreams are the building blocks of tomorrow’s successes. We are dedicated to supporting you in every possible way, building an environment where you can achieve your fullest potential.

“Therefore, I extend my heartfelt felicitations to all Imo Children for they are indeed blessings from God and embody the hope for our future. It is imperative that we celebrate them not just today, but every day, acknowledging their potential and nurturing their growth.

“My administration has introduced several policies and programmes designed to shape the future of our children, ensuring they receive quality education, healthcare, and a safe environment to thrive.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to implementing measures that guarantee their safety and overall well-being. Happy Children’s Day!”

Cross River House Of Assembly Reinstates Sacked Speaker

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Ayodele Oni

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May 27, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

Following the intervention of the Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, the State House of Assembly has reaffirmed Elvert Ayambem as the 10th Speaker.

Ayambem was impeached on Wednesday by 17 members of the house over allegations of misappropriation of funds.

The 10th Assembly of Cross River State unanimously reaffirmed Ayambem, as the 10th Assembly of Cross River State on Monday.

The reaffirmation of Ayambem followed a rapprochement brokered by the State Governor, Bassey Otu and critical stakeholders with the 25-member Assembly in Calabar on Sunday.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Matthew Okache.

The Speaker was impeached on Wednesday by 17 members out of the 25-member House over allegations of misappropriation of funds.

While responding to the development, Ayambem expressed his appreciation to the governor and the stakeholders, for what he described as their remarkable ability to bring about peace for the stability of the state and the House of Assembly.

The Speaker, also, commended Otu for showing extraordinary leadership during challenging times.

According to Ayambem, “the Governor’s track record as a leader, who is committed to peace has never been in doubt.

“This has continued to shine through from his time as senator to his current position as governor. I want to sincerely thank you for your genuine interest in and commitment to the peace and unity of Cross River State.

“Specifically, I want to thank all relevant stakeholders and particularly my colleagues for your continuous support.

“I want to pledge my cooperation and commitment to foster a harmonious working environment with you, one that would contribute to the growth and progress of both the House of Assembly and Cross River State.”

The Speaker emphasized the shared responsibility to collaborate for the advancement of the state, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation among the members, to make laws that will serve the common good of all Cross Riverians.

He pledged to lead with integrity, decency, and a focus on the welfare of all.

2027: Obi Considers Merger With Atiku “To Build A Better Nigeria”

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James Orji

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May 27, 2024

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Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 election has advocated a merger capable of rescuing the country.

We must come together to be able to build a better Nigeria, the former governor of Anambra said during an interview with NoireTV-GlobalBlackTV on You Tube last weekend.

According to him, he will only consider a merger between his party and another party for election at the national level not at the state level.

He said: “If it’s just a merger for election or state capture, I’m not for it or part of it, I don’t want to be part of anything like that.

“It might be at the party level, it might be at the individual level, might be at any level, but we must come together to be able to build a better Nigeria.”

His remarked came few days after he paid a visit to Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in last year’s election.

Obi’s visit to the former vice president had fueled suggestions that the two were considering working together ahead the 2027 election.

Not a few have suggested that the team of Obi and Atiku will be hard to beat in the 2027 presidential election.

Recall that Obi was Atiku’s vice presidential candidate during the 2019 presidential election, their party, the PDP lost to Muhammadu Buhari the incumbent and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Atiku and Obi also came second and third during the 2023 presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the APC.

Delta: “God Saw Me Through 38 Lawsuits”- Oborewovori

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James Orji

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May 27, 2024

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The governor of Delta state has revealed how he managed to emerge victorious from the litigations that almost ruined his governorship bid.

According to him, no fewer than 38 lawsuits were instituted against him by his opponents in the bid to quash his ambition of becoming the chief executive of the state.

Amidst all of this, he was saved by God who gave him victory over his opponents.

The governor made this known during the one-year thanksgiving celebration of his administration held at the Living Faith Church, Ibusa Road, Asaba, the state capital.

Governor Sheriff Oborewovori of Delta has revealed that his emergence as the governorship candidate of the People Democratic party for the 2023 general election was a product of divine choice.

Becoming governor, he explained, is through divine intervention

The journey “starting from the PDP gubernatorial primaries of 2022, I could sense the finger of God in my victory,” Oborewovori said.

“From the pool of eminently qualified aspirants and in what was the most contested governorship primaries in the history of Delta State, I emerged winner by a wide margin.

“The state and the nation were shocked when I disclosed that I contended with 38 different lawsuits from persons determined to stop me, but in all, God saw me through.”

“For, as the scriptures eloquently testify, the race is not for the swift, nor the battle for the strong, neither yet bread to the wise nor yet riches to men of understanding nor yet favour of men of skill but time and chance happened to them all.

“Looking back, I am reminded of Psalm 34:19 which said that many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivered him out of them all. This scripture describes the trials and temptations that I faced while the court cases lasted till January 19, 2024.”

Recall that Oborewovori, the immediate Speaker of the state House of Assembly was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2023 election.

As the candidate of the then incumbent Ifeanyi Okowa, he defeated the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate Ovie Omo Agege, and others during the election.

Lagos Govt Subsidizes Hajj With Over N2bn

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James Orji

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May 27, 2024

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has assisted residents who attended this year’s Holy Pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with $186,000 to augment their Travel Basic Allowance, TBA.

This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Olanrewaju Layode, while addressing pilgrims from the state who departed last weekend.

The allowance was given to the pilgrims before their departure to the Holy Land, Layode said.

The magazine reported that the federal government subsidized this year’s pilgrimage to the tune of over N90 billion to assist pilgrims attending the Islamic rituals in the Arabian nation.

Layode said in a statement signed by the ministry’s spokesman, Taofeek Lawal that close to 1900 pilgrims were subsidised with $100 each to cushion the effects of foreign exchange fluctuations

Part of the statement read, “Honourable Layode, who is also the Amir-ul-Hajj, told the pilgrims that immediately the attention of Mr. Governor was drawn to the development, he, in his kind-heartedness and magnanimity, approved the payment of the $100 shortfall for each of the 1,868 pilgrims, pending the resolution of the matter by both NAHCON and the CBN.

“He also reiterated that Governor Sanwo-Olu, being a promise keeper, would keep his promises by paying the cost of the Hadaya (sacrificial) ram, ziyyarah (visitation) to historical sites in both Madinah and Makkah, as well as monetising the Ihram clothes for each of them. He urged them not to pay anybody for the aforementioned items.”

Vice President Kassim Shetima had while speaking on the federal government subsidy last week stated that the decision to assist pilgrims was borne of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu position that this year’s Hajj must be hitch-free.

“Mr president has been committed to this year’s Hajji due to the economic situation, he has also contributed the sum of N90 billion to subsidise this year’s Hajj exercise to have a smooth and successful exercise,” he said.

“We were Misled By False Intelligence” – Kano State Govt Apologizes To NSA

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 27, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Security Agencies warn they will be hard on, and decisive in dealing with trouble makers

“I want to on behalf of the Government and good people of Kano state apologize to the NSA and regret any inconveniences that the allegation might have caused him”

The above are part of the apology tendered late Sunday night by the Kano State Government to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for earlier alleging, through the Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, that he provided all the logistical support that aided the return of the state Government deposed- Emir Aminu Ado Bayero back to kano and to the Kano Emirate palace last Saturday.

The NSA had strongly rejected and denied the allegation, and demanded a retraction and apology from the Kano State Government within 24 hours or risk a legal challenge. His ultimatum was issued on Saturday May 25 ,2024 .

At a Media briefing on Sunday May 26 , the Deputy Governor, however said its accusations were, after all, based on a misleading intelligence .

Gwarzo also noted that an earlier rebuttal by Zakari Mijinyawa the Media Aide to the NSA office on Saturday May 25 ,further established that its accusations against the NSA were predicted on misleading premises.

“We want to acknowledge the fact that we have been misinformed into holding the belief that the NSA was behind the smuggling of deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero into Kano.

“It is now clear that Malam Nuhu Ribadu was not behind those two aircraft that brought Aminu to Kano along side the military that brought him .” the Kano State Deputy Governor stated.

By this apology, the Kano State Government has saved itself from a legal action against it.

Meanwhile, Security Agencies in the State have reiterated their earlier warning to would- be-trouble makers not to test their resolve in maintaining peace and order amidst the ongoing royal disagreements.

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Hussaini Gumel, who issued the marching order on Sunday night while addressing the Media announced that Security Agencies have uncovered some clandestine moves by some misguided elements, mostly youths, to breach the peace of the state under the pretext of protest marches .

Gumel, therefore, called on actors to toe the line of constitutionality and eschew acts capable of disrupting the fragile peace of the state as security agencies are ever ready to deal decisively with any one and or bent on fomenting trouble.

One Dies, Five Severely Injured In Mosque Collapse In Lagos

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Akinwale Kasali

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May 26, 2024

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By Akinwale Kasali

A Mosque in Papa Ajao axis of Mushin Local Government Area of Lagos State has collapsed.

It led to the death of one person, and left seven persons severely injured.

The deceased was an 11-year-old girl who was around the worship center when it collapsed during the afternoon prayer session.

The development was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr Femi Osanyintolu, and the Lagos Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, on Sunday to newsmen.

Oke-Osanyintolu, who led the rescue operation, said that the mosque located on Yusuf Street, off Ladipo Road, Papa Ajao, collapsed while the Muslims were having their prayer.

The Permanent Secretary said that search and rescue operations were taking place under his supervision, basically to ensure that no one is left under the rubbles.

He listed emergency responders at the scene to include LASEMA Response Team, the police, Lagos State Ambulance Service and Lagos State Fire Service.

Kano: Deputy Governor Keeps Watch Over Sanusi As Protest Rocks City

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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May 26, 2024

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Protesters have stormed the streets of Kano to register their displeasure over the ongoing tussle for the Emirship of the Emirate.

The protest marches began at about 4 pm. Irate youths are marching along some major streets of the ancient city demanding the immediate return of the Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf- dethroned Emir Ado Bayero

The protesters who took to the streets after observing special afternoon prayers, chanted anti-Government slogans, while also carrying placards with various inscriptions such as “Abba Kabir Yusuf ,obey court order. Court brought you, you must obey the Court, Aminu is still our Emir ,we are against injustice etc”

The same protest marches also hit Gaya ,one of the 2019 created Emirates whose Emir was also swept aside by the amended Emirates laws of 2024 .

Although details of the gale of protests rocking some parts of the State as a result of the dethronement of the hitheto five Emirs of Kano,Gaya ,Karaye ,Rano and Bichi on Thursday May 23, to pave the way for the reinstatement of Muhammad Sanusi are still emerging, security agents though on ground are said not to be wielding the big stick.

But reports say the protesters although have been making bone fires while marching, have remained largely peaceful.

The Source reports that tension and palpable anxiety have since Saturday, May 25, enveloped the city, following the Royal face off between Sanusi and Bayero.

Governor Yusuf had on Thursday ,despite a restraining court order, proceeded to sign into law the 2024 kano state amended Emirates law, with the subsequent dethronement of Emir Bayero and four others to clear the road for the re- installation of Emir Sanusi.

But the State’s security agencies have insisted on obeying the restraining order, a development which has led to both Sanusi and Bayero each laying claim to the revered Kano traditional stool.

Meanwhile, strong indications have also emerged that a combined team of security operatives are set to escort Emir Bayero back to the Main Palace from the Nasarawa mini Palace in what may be the final move to restore the status quo .

However, Emir Sanusi is still holed up in the main Palace with the States Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo keeping watch over him.