Category: Politics

Lawyers in Nigeria, Friday, passed a vote of confidence and threw weight behind the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu on the heels of calls for his sack and resignation.

The lawyers said it is uncalled for some persons to be mischievous to go down so low to put out allegations they cannot substantiate rather they were out to run down the incredibility of INEC and blackmail its chairman.

The lawyers under the auspices of Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers, CNL, in a petition addressed to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, UK, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, through Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery CMG, asserted that the malicious claims of bribery and corruption were propagated by faceless individuals.

The petition reads in part: “We, the undersigned Nigerian lawyers, write this petition with great concern and urgency regarding the unsubstantiated and fake allegations made against Mallam Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We implore you to address this issue and rectify the damage caused to Mallam Yakubu’s reputation and the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

“The allegations in question, as reported by the conspiracy-driven news outlets and social media, claim that Mallam Yakubu engaged in corrupt practices and has accepted bribes. These malicious claims were propagated by faceless individuals who lack any form of credibility or substantiation for their accusations. It is clear that these allegations are baseless and intended solely to tarnish the reputation of Mallam Yakubu and undermine the integrity of INEC.

“Mallam Mahmood Yakubu has dedicated his career to public service and has consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to upholding democratic principles. His track record as the Chairman of INEC is commendable, with major strides made towards ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria. We firmly believe that his leadership has significantly contributed to the democratic progress witnessed in recent years.

“It is worth noting that INEC, under the leadership of Mallam Yakubu, successfully conducted the 2019 general elections, which were internationally recognized as a significant improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process. This recognition further solidifies his reputation as a competent and trustworthy election administrator.

“The recent protest organized against Mallam Yakubu by the United Nigeria in Diaspora (UND) a faceless Group without any means of identification or address and the call for Prof. Mahmood’s resignation are deeply concerning. These unsubstantiated allegations and actions serve to erode public confidence in the electoral process and undermine Nigeria’s democracy as a whole. It is crucial that we protect the institutions responsible for conducting free and fair elections and ensure that they are not subjected to baseless attacks.

“We call upon your office, in collaboration with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, to intervene in this matter and seek clarification on the allegations made against Mallam Yakubu. We urge you to issue a statement denouncing these false accusations and affirming support for the independence and integrity of INEC.”

However, the petitioners urged the British High Commissioner to Nigeria to engage relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and bring the accusers to book over the spreading false information about the INEC boss.

“Furthermore, we request that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria engages with relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for spreading false information about Mallam Yakubu. It is imperative that those who seek to undermine the electoral process through unsubstantiated allegations are identified and brought to justice”, it added.

Meanwhile, the lawyers acknowledged the fact that, “As legal professionals, we believe in the principles of due process, fairness, and justice. It is our duty to advocate for the rights and reputation of individuals when they are subjected to false accusations that have the potential to cause irreparable harm. We trust that you, as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will prioritize the pursuit of truth and fairness in addressing this matter.

“Lastly, we urge you to stand firmly with the Nigerian government in their endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the integrity of the electoral process. It is through collaborative efforts and adherence to democratic principles that we can ensure a brighter future for Nigeria and its citizens.”

By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.

Movement Of The Support Of Democracy And Good Governance (MSDG) has called on president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order full investigation on Senator Abdul Ningi’s Allegations on Budget padding in order to bring out the real facts of the allegations.

In a chat with our correspondent in Kano, the group’s national chairman Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali stressed that Nigerians would like to hear the true side of the allegation that some huge amounts of money were inserted without projects which indicated that the red chamber needs to be probed to clear the air about the padding.

” our group is working to actualize good governance therefore we are in support of full investigation to bring out the real facts about Senator Ningi’s alleged budget padding of over 3Trilion naira without any projects inclusion which is a great set back to the war against corruption in this country”.

Alhaji Dauda Mohammed Ali announced that Nigerians are now eagerly waiting to see that full investigation is carried to prove whether Senator Abdul Ningi is right or the Senate especially at present when the fight against corruption is taking new dimension.

Following the announcement by the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr. Olamide Oladiji, endorsing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s governorship bid on behalf of the assembly, several House members have distanced themselves from the endorsement.

In a statement signed by 13 members of the Assembly and released on Wednesday, the lawmakers expressed their lack of confidence in the speaker’s decision.

Governor Aiyedatiwa declared his intention to contest the upcoming governorship election in November during an event in Akure on Tuesday. In his speech, Speaker Oladiji assured the governor of the assembly members’ support in securing the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and winning the main election.

However, dissenting members of the Assembly objected to the speaker’s declaration, stating that the parliament had not officially endorsed any governorship aspirant yet. They described the speaker’s statement as embarrassing and disappointing.

The lawmakers emphasized that the speaker lacked the moral and legal authority to pledge support for any governorship aspirant on behalf of the House without the explicit consent of its members. They denounced the speaker’s actions as misrepresentation and brought a vote of no confidence against him.

The statement was signed by prominent members including Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi (Majority Leader), Moyinolorun Taiwo Ogunwumiju (Parliamentary Secretary), Oluwarotimi Fasonu (Chief Whip), Olajide Oguntodu (Minority Leader), Raymond Daodu (Deputy Minority Leader), and others.

In conclusion, the lawmakers called for a retraction of the speaker’s endorsement and expressed their dissatisfaction with his leadership, passing a vote of no confidence in him.

The Edo State House Assembly has decided to publish the impeachment notice directed at the state Deputy Governor, Phillip Shaibu, in national newspapers. This action comes in response to Shaibu’s alleged refusal to acknowledge the notice served on him by the House last week.

The impeachment proceedings against Shaibu commenced last Wednesday, with lawmakers accusing him of perjury and leaking government secrets. The issuance of the impeachment notice is perceived as the latest development in the ongoing rift between Shaibu and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Tensions between the deputy governor and the governor have persisted since last year when Shaibu declared his intention to contest in this year’s governorship race.

During Monday’s plenary session, the Speaker of the Edo State House Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, stated that Shaibu had rejected the impeachment notice served on him by the House. Consequently, the House resolved to serve the notice by substitution, with the Clerk of the House directed to publish the notice in the Nigerian Observer newspaper and other national dailies.

Agbebaku emphasized, “It is clear that the deputy governor has rejected the impeachment notice served on him by the House. The House will serve him by substitution by publishing the letter in three national dailies, The Observer inclusive.”

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Senate President and the House of Representative (HoR) Speaker have been advise to change the title of Bill passed on five additional years of Service of National Assembly Workers (NASS Workers) to read “Legislatives Workers”, during harmonisation of the Bill session.

Chairman of all Chairmen of Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN), Comrade Abdurashid Abarshi, gave the advise in a chat with our correspondent in Kaduna during the weekend.

He said changing the title or heading to Legislatives Workers would make the Bill more easier for implementation nationwide for the Legislatives workers at States and Local Government levels without waiting to be domesticated.

In related development, Comrade Abdurashid Abarshi also advised Governors on quick implementation of CONLESS and payment of outstanding Outfits allowances across the nation for a continued good working relationships between government and Legislative Workers.

Similarly, while appreciating the efforts of securities on Birnin-Gwari and Kaduna road, he called on Federal government to direct for the total action against Bandits in their hideout across the country to end killings and kidnapping in their communities, “please”.

While he condemned the bandits attacked on mosque, killing and kidnapping incidents which took place in Unguwan Makera Kuyello ward Birnin-Gwari, kaduna State, the PASAN boss also expressed displeasure over ravaging incidents in other parts of Kaduna and other places in the north.

By JABIRU A HASSAN, Kano.

The national President of the APC Initiative For Good Governance, Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken disclosed that President Bola Tinubu’s cost of governance policy would yield positive for better Nigeria.

He stated this in a message to the people of Nigeria while reacting to the present administration’s policy to the reduction the cost of governance, where he applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating changes that would makes this country more better.

Ambassador Musa Tsoken lamented that “from what the present administration is doing, Nigerians would soon realize that our president is trying his best to save this great nation from being harsh to it’s citizens and I am certain that in the near future, Nigeria would be sweet and a real domain to every citizen”. He emphasized.

In conclusion, Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken on behalf of the national executives of the APC-IGG, the zonal coordinators, states, local government and wards leaders called for more prayers from all citizens for peace and unity and development.

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

Unconnected with the facts to ensure Muslims in the State start this year’s Ramadan fast comfortably, Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto PhD, fcna has approved the payment of half salaries as Ramadan gift to all civil servants,Primary school Teachers, Local Government staff as well as pensioners in the state.

The magnanimous gesture, which is expected to commence tonight is to assist workers in the state observe this year’s Ramadan fast with a relative ease.

Governor Aliyu, therefore, appealed to the Muslim ummah to use the sacred month to pray for Allah’s intervention in the numerous challenges hindering smooth Nigeria’s development.

The statement by the governor’s media aide, Abubakar Bawa also said the governor called on traders and wealthy individuals in the state to show love and mercy to the have-nots for them to earn Allah’s mercy and forgiveness in this holy month.

The Governor thanked the people of the state for their continued support and fervent prayers to his administration, which he described as key to all the succesess so far recorded in the state.