The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has formally distanced itself from a purported protest that unfolded at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Lokoja, Kogi State. Issuing a statement on Thursday, Isaiah Davies Ijele, the Director General of New Media for MuriSam Campaign Council/SDP, clarified that those causing disruptions are not genuine SDP supporters but rather loyalists of the ruling party in Kogi State. Ijele emphasized that the SDP is a peace-oriented political party, with its ideology centered around promoting peace and pursuing justice through established democratic avenues. The party is currently seeking redress through the court, and Ijele…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
In a scathing accusation, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State for allegedly undermining the rule of law through the recent appointment of caretaker committees for local government areas. The PDP, through its State Publicity Secretary, Chief Bemgba Iortyom (Vande-U-Mbaiwer), contends that the move lacks legal backing and raises doubts about the governor’s commitment to the promised autonomy for local government administration. According to the PDP’s statement, the appointment of caretaker committees for all 23 local government councils was executed without the required enabling law from the Benue State House of Assembly. The party…
Delta State Governor, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, presented a comprehensive N714.4 billion appropriation bill for the upcoming 2024 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly on Wednesday. Governor Oborevwori outlined the budget, named ‘Budget of Hope and Optimism,’ which allocates N316.6 billion (44%) for recurrent expenditure and N397.9 billion (56%) for capital expenditure. In his address, the governor emphasized that this proposal, his first since taking office, is designed to drive sustainable economic growth, boost investments and productivity, improve the ease of doing business, and foster ample opportunities for citizen participation in the economy. Addressing specific allocations, Oborevwori detailed, “In…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State has officially handed a Certificate of Return to Rauf Age-Suleiman, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, reaffirmed as the legitimate winner of the March 18 Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II House of Assembly election by the Court of Appeal. Professor Ayobami Salami, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), presided over the presentation of the certificate on Wednesday. During the ceremony, Salami encouraged Age-Suleiman to contribute to the growth of his constituency and Nigeria as a whole, extending congratulations and prayers for wisdom in his responsibilities. “Nothing but prayers has made this a possibility. I…
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has raised allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of obstructing access to election materials used in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi State. Following a directive from the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, INEC was ordered to grant SDP access for forensic assessment of the election materials. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director of New Media for Muri/Sam Campaign Council/SDP, Isaiah Davies Ijele, expressed frustration, claiming that INEC had refused to comply with the court order. The statement highlighted, “Yesterday, on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, our forensic experts visited…
Dino Melaye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recently concluded Kogi governorship poll, has unequivocally declared his decision not to contest the electoral victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on November 11, citing a loss of confidence in the judiciary. In a statement made on Wednesday, Melaye expressed his skepticism, asserting that the judiciary no longer serves as the last hope for ordinary Nigerians but has become a department under the control of the All Progressives Congress. “Judiciary is no longer the last hope of the ordinary people; it’s now a department under the All Progressives Congress,”…
A coalition comprising 100 pro-democracy groups has expressed satisfaction with the Appeal Court’s decision, which solidified Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s election triumph in Rivers State. In a unanimous ruling on Tuesday, the Appeal Court upheld the verdict of the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal, dismissing four appeals challenging Governor Fubara’s victory. Petitions lodged by Tonye Cole (All Progressives Congress), Beatrice Itubo (Labour Party), Innocent Ekwu (Allied People’s Movement), and Lulu Briggs Dumo (Accord Party) were all rejected by the Tribunal. Undeterred, the opposition parties pursued the matter to the Appeal Court, where the initial decision was confirmed. Governor Fubara, representing the…
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, affirmed the crucial importance of the current administration not failing the Nigerian people during President Bola Tinubu’s presentation of the 2024 appropriation bill. Addressing the assembly, Abbas acknowledged the challenging circumstances faced by millions of citizens, stressing that the government must provide swift and sustainable solutions to alleviate the difficulties faced by the people. “It is a well-known reality that millions of citizens are going through really difficult times. For this reason, they also look to the Tinubu-led government to provide quick and sustainable solutions,” stated Abbas. Highlighting President Tinubu’s antecedents and…
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun announced on Tuesday during a working visit to Adamawa State that he has obtained President Bola Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 30,000 policemen annually. This significant increase, triple the previous annual recruitment of 10,000 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, aims to address the overworking of police officers, according to the IGP. Egbetokun acknowledged the challenges faced by police officers, stating, “I know that as of today in Nigeria, one policeman does the job of two to three officers. I know how you are being overburdened.” Highlighting the evolution of…
Senate President Godswill Akpabio asserted on Wednesday that Nigeria has achieved a milestone in 24 years that the United States took 185 years to accomplish. He made this declaration during the 2024 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of lawmakers at the National Assembly. Akpabio emphasized the strategic positions held by former senators in the executive, fostering a robust relationship between the two arms of government. He noted that having ex-lawmakers in key executive roles ensures not only a necessary, but a symbiotic relationship, where they will collaborate closely. “Mr. President, the United States of…
In the aftermath of the Court of Appeal’s turnaround affirming Governor Abdullahi Sule as the victor in the 2023 Nasarawa State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a call on Tuesday for the Supreme Court to meticulously scrutinize the recent judgment. The state election petitions tribunal had initially ousted Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on October 2, declaring David Ombugadu of the PDP as the rightful winner. However, the appellate court overturned this decision, asserting that the tribunal had erred in recomputing votes, reinstating Sule as the governor. Stella Oboshi, PDP women leader in the state,…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Lagos State officially awarded a Certificate of Return to Rauf Age-Suleiman, the APC candidate, following the Court of Appeal’s confirmation of his victory in the March 18 Amuwo-Odofin Constituency II House of Assembly election. Presenting the certificate on Wednesday, Prof. Ayobami Salami, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), congratulated Age-Suleiman and urged him to contribute to the growth of both his constituency and Nigeria at large. Salami, in his address, invoked prayers for Age-Suleiman, asking for divine wisdom to guide his actions. Age-Suleiman expressed gratitude for the justice served through the legal process and…
In a resolute declaration, Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State emphasized his unwavering commitment to fulfilling promises aimed at improving the lives of youths in the state. Governor Fubara made this assertion during the swearing-in ceremony of the 2023 Batch C Stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Represented by Hamilton Amadi, the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, the governor assured corps members of his administration’s dedication to providing adequate security and welfare during their deployment in the state. Governor Fubara pledged to be steadfast and resolute in delivering the best…
In a decisive ruling on Tuesday evening, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the election victory of Kefas Agbu as the Governor of Taraba State. The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Peter Affen, delivered a unanimous judgment, dismissing the challenge brought by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and its governorship candidate, Prof. Yahaya Sani. Justice Affen highlighted that the appellants, NNPP and Sani, were inconsistent in their petition against the March 28 governorship election. While seeking the nullification of the election due to non-compliance with the electoral act, they simultaneously requested the court to declare them…
In a significant development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the victory of Suleiman Wanchiko from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Bida I (North) State Constituency election in Niger. The court declared Bako Kasim of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner. Justice Bature Isa-Gafai, delivering the judgment on behalf of the three-member panel, deemed Wanchiko’s appeal as unmeritorious. The court concurred with Kasim’s counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, asserting that Wanchiko’s use of a forged testimonial presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) warranted disqualification from the election. Wanchiko, initially declared the winner…
During an interview on Arise Television, constitutional lawyer Daniel Bwala voiced concerns on Monday, asserting that the authority of the Supreme Court, recognized as the ultimate court in the nation, has been brought into question by the recent Court of Appeal decision on Plateau State elections. Bwala highlighted the apparent contradiction in the Court of Appeal’s actions, noting that in cases from Benue, Ebonyi, and other jurisdictions, the court had deferred to the authority of the Supreme Court by dismissing pre-election matters. However, he expressed bewilderment as to why the same court took jurisdiction over the Plateau State issue. He…
In response to the recent Appeal Court verdict in Kano State, Chief Olabode George, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed strong condemnation of judges overturning election results. The controversy arose when the appellate court nullified the election of Governor Abba Yusuf, declaring Gawuna as the winner. However, confusion ensued when the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment indicated that the Appeal Court affirmed Yusuf as the Kano governor. The court attributed this discrepancy to a clerical error. Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Monday, George expressed his concern, stating, “This system is worrisome because…
In the 30th edition of the Social Media Influencers seminar, organized in collaboration with the Ukan Kurugh Foundation, the Chief of Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. NC Ugbo, urged social media actors to exercise caution and verify the information they disseminate on social media platforms. Highlighting the profound impact of social media on shaping perceptions and opinions, Maj. Gen. Ugbo emphasized the need for influencers to be mindful of the authenticity of the content they share. He stated, “The information we share on social media platforms has far-reaching effects in shaping the perceptions, opinions, and reactions of people.”…
Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has taken decisive action following allegations of conspiracy and aiding the escape of a suspected serial rapist. CP Danjuma ordered the immediate redeployment of Orji Divisional Police Officer (DPO), CSP Udom Godwin, to the Command headquarters in Owerri on standby. An official query has been issued to CSP Udom Godwin and other officers serving in the division, citing serious dereliction of duty, discreditable conduct, lack of supervision, failure to send a situation report, disobedience to lawful orders, and acts of sabotage unbecoming of public officers, all linked to the case. In a…
In a bid to alleviate the impact of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has revealed a significant boost for Youth Corp members serving in the state. Starting from January next year, these corps members will receive an additional monthly pay of N10,000, as announced by the governor during the swearing-in ceremony of the Batch C Stream 2 deployment, which included 1,340 corps members posted to Adamawa State. Governor Fintiri emphasized that this initiative is part of his administration’s generosity, aiming to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal. The new N10,000 monthly allowance is in addition…