Osun Governorship: Adeleke Knows Fate Tuesday; Supreme Court Set To Deliver Judgement

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May 8, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Supreme Court is set to lay to rest controversy trailing the outcome of last year’s governorship election in Osun state.

The apex court on Monday fixed Tuesday, May 9 to deliver a make or mar judgment in the disputed July 16, 2022 Governorship election.

The Court fixed the date for the judgment after taken arguments from parties involved in the matter.

At the centre of the disputed election is the incumbent Governor Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke who contested for the poll on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Adegboyega Oyetola who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate.

Oyetola is the appellant in the instant matter in the Supreme Court having lost at the Court of Appeal, while Adeleke is the major respondent being the winner of the Court of Appeal decision.

The Supreme Court will deliver the final verdict by 2 pm of May 9.

At the proceedings, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN argued for the APC.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Friday March 24 vacated the tribunal judgment that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgment of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgment that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola.

Why Peter Obi visited Soyinka

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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By Val Obienyem

To understand Mr. Peter Obi’s visit to Prof. Wole Soyinka, I shall tell you the story of my encounter with him.

At the height of the exchange between Soyinka and Nigerians, Soyinka requested a debate with Alhaji Datti or his representative. I struck an idea and was delighted with it. I told a few people about my plan to get a man learned in all the technics of debate to take on Soyinka.

Excited like Archimedes, I almost ran to Obi over my idea. After listening to me, Obi said: “Val I realise the spirit with which you are saying this. Calm down and remain placid. If we were all hot, we would all burn.” I replied: “ If we were all cold Your Excellency, we shall all freeze.” In his characteristic moderation, always looking for the golden mean, he said: no matter the provocation, you are not expected to fight your father, instead, you allow fraternal love to overshadow whatever object of provocation.”

Explaining further, he went empirical: “ Val, May God continue to grant the soul of your father eternal rest, but let me ask you, if your father were still alive and make some comments you consider as not palatable what would you do? In the midst of the confusion, if your father requests a live debate with you to rest the matter finally, would you oblige him? At this point I was completely disarmed.

The aim of this is for those thinking or wondering what informed his visit to Soyinka to read and understand the working of his mind. It is not for nothing that those who work closely with him see him as the personification of wisdom.

Obienyem, a Lawyer, former Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, is a long-time Media Adviser to Peter Obi

Speakership: Labour Party Candidate Joins Race

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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Ibe Osonwa, a Labour Party, LP, lawmaker has joined the race to become Nigeria’s Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Osonwa, a first-timer in Nigeria’s lower chamber of the National Assembly, NASS, threw his hat in the ring less than 48 hours after reports that the president-elect, Bola Tinubu has endorsed Tajudeen Abass, a lawmaker from Kaduna state as the next Speaker.

Tinubu’s endorsement of Abbas, the magazine learned has the support of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This cannot be said of the other political parties in the chamber which have more elected members than the ruling party.

The figures provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC indicate that the combination of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, LP, and others have more elected members than the ruling party which appears poised to produce the next speaker.

This is more so considering that the LP said on Sunday that it has not endorsed any candidate for the position.

Speaking on his plan to become Speaker, Osonwa a member-elect from Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia, said he has joined the race to contest with other candidates.

The fresher lawmaker made this known when the South-East Young Professionals, a pressure group, from his region paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

He said he’s qualified to be the Speaker of the 10^th Assembly, even though many have equally cautioned that his chances to attain the position are very slim considering NASS rules that bare new members from contesting the top position.

Only ranking members can contest the position, according to the rule.

Speaking on his ambition, the lawmaker said, “We are taking everything into consideration while speaking to the leadership of the House and the South-East caucus.

“This is a moving sand. No positions have been taken. We do not get to elect the speaker until June 13.

“While the Constitution does not recognise ranking members but the House Standing Rules does, we will consult to know what our issues are.”

“We are going to embark on a mission of national integration. Diversity should not be our weak point but our strength and we must harness it.”

The LP Caucus led by Victor Ogene, a returnee member representing Ogbaru, Anambra state Federal Constituency said in a statement on Sunday that the party has not endorsed any candidate for speakership.

In an acceptance speech soon after he was elected Leader of the Caucus Ogene said the party will soon take a united position on the matter.

“May I use this opportunity to reiterate that the Labour Party caucus, House of Representatives, has not endorsed any Speakership aspirant.

“In fact, anyone desirous of our votes on the day of inauguration must first convince us, as a bloc, of what his plans and programmes for the Nigerian people are. While we may have individual preferences, I can assure you that at the end of the day, the Labour Party shall stand as one, indivisible entity to take a common and progressive stand,” Ogene said.

LP has a 34-member-elect in the National Assembly that’s expected to be inaugurated on June 6 this year.

Tinubu Vs Others: PDP Demands Live Broadcast Of Tribunal

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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Ahead of the commencement of the sitting of the presidential petition Tribunal on Monday, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says the May 29 swearing-in of the winner of the last presidential election is not sacrosanct.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has been declared winner of the election by the Independent National Election Commission, INEC and is billed to assume office in a few days by taking over from the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari whose tenure ends that day.

But some Nigerians have opined that the swearing-in should be postponed until all the election petitions are decided by the courts.

The opposition PDP whose candidate, Atiku Abubakar is asking the court to declare him winner, has also demanded that the Tribunal sittings be broadcast live on national televisions.

The party’s demand is contained in an application filed by its counsel, Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN.

Uche in the petition has applied for “An order directing the Court’s Registry and the parties on modalities for admission of Media Practitioners and their Equipment into the courtroom.”

The PDP said many Nigerians who participated in the February 25 election and the international community are interested in the proceedings of the Tribunal, saying that they want to see whether justice will truly be dispensed by the courts.

This can only be done by ensuring that the proceedings are broadcast live, the opposition party said.

According to the PDP, “With the huge and tremendous technological advances and developments in Nigeria and beyond, including the current trend by this court towards embracing electronic procedures, virtual hearing and electronic filing, a departure from the rules to allow a regulated televising of the proceedings in this matter is in consonance with the maxim that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

“Televising court proceedings is not alien to this court, and will enhance public confidence.”

Speaking earlier on the May 29 handover date, the Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Sam Amadi said the swearing-in could be postponed, saying that the wrong person should not be allowed to take over the presidency until the Tribunal decides the winner.

Amadi, a former Adviser to Senate President Ken Nnamani, said the court must be allowed to make a clarification on the legal status of the president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

He wrote, “Clarification on Legal Status of President-Elect.

“@officialABAT is PRESIDENT-ELECT. But he is not yet President.

It isn’t automatic that he will form the next government. He has a serious case in tribunal that can go either way.

The tribunal can stop the inauguration before 29.

“Like I always say, corruption in language leads to corruption in statecraft. Just as the law gave @inecnigeria power to make a declaration, it gives the judiciary the power to reverse it. There’s no constitutional duty to inaugurate on May 29 if a declaration is legally challenged as here.

“There is no fait accompli about the situation. Some use of language can create a false narrative where we believe that a declaration by @inecnigeria no matter how wrong constitutes a new government. No. It does not, until the final court says so,” Amadi said in a statement on his verified Twitter handle.

After Several Delays Buhari Set To Commission Dangote Refinery

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James Orji

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May 8, 2023

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The multi-billion naira Dangote Refinery will be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in a few days, according to Bashir Ahmad, the president’s Special Assistant on Digital Communications.

The president will commission the project just a few days after the federal government said it has postponed the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The Buhari administration said it has left the decision to end the subsidy regime to the incoming administration of Bola Tinubu who is expected to take power on May 29 this year.

The petrochemical refinery owned by Africa’s richest man was initially billed to be commissioned last year by the president, but the event was later postponed.

The 650, 000 barrels per day integrated refinery project located in the Lekki free trade zone area of Lagos state will now be commissioned on May 22, Bashir said in a tweet on Sunday.

According to him, “Efforts by the Federal Government to make Nigeria self-sufficient in local refining of crude oil to save the scarce foreign exchange used in the importation of petroleum products have received a boost as the 650,000 barrels per day Dangote Refinery, the world’s largest single-train refinery, is set for inauguration on May 22nd, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

The project, which cost an estimated $19 billion to build, is Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility and is expected to generate 9,500 direct and 25,000 indirect jobs.

The project, when it starts operations fully is expected to meet Nigeria’s fuel demand apart from serving as a major export earner for the country.

The cost of building the refinery, according to figures made available by the company is more than $19 billion.

Senator Nnamani Loses Wife

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

A former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, has lost his wife.

Nnamani’s wife, Lady (Mrs) Jane Nnamani, died on Friday, 5th May, 2023, in Enugu.

She had, allegedly been poor in health for sometime, but passed on when least expected, after what was thought would be a minor surgery.

A business woman and philanthropist of note, Lady Nnamani was a Doctorate Student of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, where she was, also, a Council Member.

Even though her devastated family was yet to announce her passing at the time of filing this report, sympathizers are already trooping to the home of the Nnamanis in Enugu.

She was a mother of four.

PDP Warns Against Intimidation, Harrassment of Nigerians, Says Uphold The Will Of The People; Slams INEC

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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Bola Tinubu-Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar

By Gideon Njoku

The Peoples Democratic Party has warned against what it described as the Intimidation and harassment of Nigerians, especially Youths and eminent Nigerians, for protesting the plan to install a Government the Party says does not enjoy the will of the people.

At a Press Conference on Sunday, May 7, addressed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Party, Debo Ologunagba, the Party said there are “Public anxieties over alleged plots by the APC to Influence the outcome of the petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

The PDP said it invited Media to “alert Nigerians and the International Community of the shocking revelations, reports and allegations of plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to influence the outcome of the Presidential election Petition currently pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.”

The PDP said it deplores and, also, alerts of “recent intimidation, harassment, threats and vicious attacks by APC leaders against Nigerian youths and eminent Nigerian personalities for speaking out against APC’s planned moves to install a government that does not enjoy the mandate of majority of Nigerians as expressed at the Polling Units.”

Noted the Party: “The alleged planned onslaught by APC leaders on eminent Nigerians and our democratic institutions, including the Judiciary, stems from APC’s apprehensions given the weight of evidence against it as well as the continuing refusal by majority of Nigerians to accept the outcome of the flawed Presidential election.”

It alleged that there are “apprehensions in the public space, having regards to the reputation of certain individuals within the highest level of the APC who have demonstrated capacity and proclivity to compromise democratic institutions in our country.”

The Party accused the President- elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of trying to patronise the Judiciary during his recent visit to Rivers State.

Tinubu went to Porthacourt on a two-day visit on the invitation of the State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to commission a fly over and a modern Magistrate Court. But the PDP accused the President-elect of using the opportunity to try to corrupt and patronise the Judiciary.

The Party noted: “It would be recalled that on Friday, May 5, 2023, our Party raised alarm over the massively condemned comments by the APC Presidential Candidate, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the commissioning of some judiciary projects in Port-Harcourt Rivers State, wherein he attempted to corrupt, cultivate and patronize the Judiciary.”

Tinubu, the PDP pointed out, is not alone in the attempt to corrupt the Judiciary. It said:

“More alarming are allegations in the public space of attempts by certain APC leaders to compromise the judiciary with heavy financial inducement and to orchestrate trumped-up allegations of impropriety against judicial officers.”

The PDP, therefore, called “on the APC and its leaders to immediately come clean and publicly address Nigerians and the world on these disturbing allegations and revelations which are already in the public domain.”

It described as provocative, the accusation of treasonable felony against some Nigerians for speaking out against the outcome of the February 25, Presidential Election.

Recently, in the US, the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had accused the Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, of treasonable felony for not recognising the outcome of the Presidential Election.

The PDP remarked: “Further to this is the provocative resort by the APC and its leaders to threaten Nigerians with treason for speaking out against the manipulations of our democratic processes by the APC.

“For emphasis, majority of Nigerians are insisting on the review of the February 25, 2023 Presidential election because it was marred by wide-spread manipulations, open alteration of genuine election results from the Polling Units, allocation of fictitious figures to the APC and brazen violation of the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022 as well as INEC Manual and Guidelines by INEC itself in its declaration of a winner of the election.”

The Party, also, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of complicity in the in the alleged corruption of the Presidential Election.

“The bizarre response by INEC, which is an umpire that ought to be independent, to the Petition of the PDP and our Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, requesting for the dismissal of our Petition, is further evidence of the complicity, corruption and compromise of INEC by the APC.

It is instructive for INEC and the APC to note that the tribunal hearing is part of the electoral process. The APC and INEC are therefore advised to halt further steps to hinder the ability of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to dispense justice in the matter in accordance with the law.”

What to do? The Party urged the Judiciary to ignore the alleged antics of the APC to influence it.

“The PDP, therefore, restates its call on the Judiciary to resist and insulate itself from the alleged and reported antics of the APC in the discharge of its Constitutional duties as independent and impartial arbiter in the pending Petition before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal.

“It is imperative to state that the reckless violation by INEC of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INEC Guidelines and Manual in the 2023 Presidential election portend grave consequences to our democracy and political stability as a country.

The only way to guarantee peace, unity and stability of our nation is to uphold the Will of the people as expressed at the Polling Units in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election and the PDP is confident in the ability of the Judiciary to discharge its Constitutional duties in this regard independently”, it stated.

Obi visits Soyinka; Both Discuss State Of The Nation

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The Source

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May 8, 2023

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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Sunday paid special visit to Nigeria’s literary giant and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

In a tweet, Obi described the visit as enriching as he had a useful discussion with him.

“Today I visited one of Nigeria’s most revered figures and an international literary icon Prof Wole Soyinka.

“Prof Soyinka has been my father whom I hold in very esteem for what he has achieved and stands for in the struggle for a better Nigeria.

“His reputation as a fighter for justice and equity in our society has been legendary and we will NEVER ignore them.

“I had a very useful and enriching discussion about his aspirations for a better and greater Nigeria, and he shared a lot with me about his dream for a greater, and more inclusive Nigeria.

“I reminded the Nobel Laureate of the huge price he paid just before the outbreak of civil war, fighting for the cause of the Igbo.

“I cherish this Sunday visit which was intended to erase the needless misconceptions about the relationship between the great icon and the obidient family.”

Succour As PSC Approves Payment Of Salary To Police Recruits Since 2021

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Ayodele Oni

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May 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Those unemployed recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 2021 and 2022 can now grave a sigh of relieve as the Police Service Commission (PSC) approved salary payments for those of them that passed out of the Police Colleges and have been in formal work in different Police Commands and formations since the past six months without salary.

These category of police recruits have protested and staged open demonstration to demand for payment of their entitlements.

Delay in their payment, it was gathered was as a result of unending conflict between the PSC and the Nigeria Police as the commission said it was not aware of their engagement.

PSC Chairman Dr. Solomon Arase, said the Commission’s decision was reached in the interest of national security anchored on the need to amicably resolve the lingering issues of recruitment between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force which have occasioned untold hardship on the Police Constables.

He said the Commission’s prompt response also followed outcry and appeals from Nigerians that the 2021/2022 Police recruits, who are yet to be enrolled into the Federal Government’s Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, IPPIS, and who had not received salaries, six months after they passed out from the Police Colleges and duly posted to Police Commands and formations for active Police work, are not made victims of the face off between the Commission and the Nigeria Police.

A statement on Sunday by the PSC Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani stated “The Commission’s approval for the enrollment of 1007 recruited personnel into the Nigeria Police Force in the recruitment exercise of 2021/2022 into the IPPIS payment platform for the purposes of salaries and other emoluments has been conveyed to the Accountant General of the Federation.

“In the letter signed by Dr. (Mrs) Ifeoma A. Anyanwutaku, Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Commission and dated, 5th May 2023, the Commission requested for “prompt and favourable response in activating and emplacing the necessary processes and procedures at ensuring that these Police Officers are immediately captured on the required payment platform and paid accordingly.”

“The Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector General of Police, feels a sense of discomfiture over newspaper reports that the Officers had since resorted to alms begging and other untidy acts to sustain themselves and had moved immediately to resolve all pending and envisaged issues surrounding the matter.”

Arase had announced at a Stakeholders meeting with Civil Society Organizations that the face off between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force will soon be over to the benefit of both parties and the greater interest.

Kenya Reaches Out To Nigeria’s President Elect, Seeks Areas Of Cooperation

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Ayodele Oni

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May 7, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Kenyan President, Dr Williams Ruto, has sent a special envoy to discuss areas of mutual interest between Nigeria and Kenya with the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, ahead of 29 May inauguration.

A statement on Sunday from the office of the president elect, signed by Abdul Aziz Abdulaziz, stated that Ruto, in a letter he personally signed, congratulated Tinubu on his victory at the polls and extended his hand of fellowship to the incoming Nigerian leader.

The letter was delivered by the Kenyan president’s envoy, who is also Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service of Kenya, Mr. Felix K. Koskei, during an audience with the president-elect at the weekend in Lagos.

“On behalf of the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya, and on my own behalf, I convey greetings and congratulations to you on your victory, and to the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their fortitude and maturity in ensuring the successful conduct of the 2023 general elections.

“I wish to applaud the close friendship which exists between our two countries. Kenya and Nigeria share values and aspirations in various sectors including political, socio-economic, cultural, diplomatic exchange and indeed hold commonality of views on many continental and international issues.”

The Kenyan leader offered to work with Tinubu to consolidate the longstanding relationship between his country and Nigeria.

“I look forward to working with you to champion the cause of our continent, and to strengthen further the historical bonds and friendship that happily exist between our two countries and the people.”

Koskei told Tinubu that the desire of Ruto was to partner the incoming Nigerian leader in “bringing Africa together and strengthen the continent through cooperation and sharing of experiences.”

In his response, President-elect Tinubu expressed his desire to work with the Kenyan president and other African leaders to champion issues of mutual interest.

“I intend to maintain that long, cordial relationship between our two countries and continue to pursue the aspiration of our forefathers towards building a stronger and more economically stable Africa.”

Tinubu pledged to work with Kenya in the areas of economic growth, development and tackling insecurity in line with his agenda for the Nigerian people.

“If we exchange ideas and inter-relate, it will help our continent. Economic opportunities would be explored for Africa’s growth and security.”

The president-elect promised to pay a visit to the East African country at a later time to further explore areas of common interest for the benefit of the two countries and the continent.