Category: Politics

By  Milcah  Tanimu

The Senate has confirmed Musa Aliyu as the substantive chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The confirmation came after a screening exercise during a plenary session.

The screening process began at approximately 11:50 am and took place at the Committee of the Whole, which was presided over by the Deputy President, Jibirin Barau.

President Bola Tinubu had sent a letter to the Senate the previous day, seeking confirmation of Musa Aliyu as the chairman of the ICPC.

By  Milcah  Tanimu

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, has called for unity following the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election. Gbajabiamila urged the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, to accept the judgment and come together for the betterment of Nigeria.

The Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro, unanimously held that the appeals made by Atiku and Obi against Tinubu were without merit and should be dismissed. Other justices on the panel included Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, and Emmanuel Agim.

Speaking to reporters after the judgment in Abuja, Gbajabiamila described the litigation as a distraction. He assured that President Tinubu would continue to extend hands of fellowship to Atiku, Obi, and all Nigerians.

Gbajabiamila praised the Supreme Court’s judgment, emphasizing that it was sound and supported by facts and legal precedents. He urged everyone not to take the judgment personally and emphasized that governance is about the entire nation, not just a single party or individual.

With the elections and litigation concluded, he stressed that it is now time for governance, and all distractions should be put aside. Gbajabiamila called on members of all political parties to work together for the betterment of the country.

By Daniel Edu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for delisting its gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, from the list of candidates for the upcoming Bayelsa governorship election. The party expressed concern that this action could be linked to a high court judgment disqualifying Sylva as the APC’s candidate for the election. The APC noted that it had promptly appealed the judgment and sought a stay of its execution, which the Court of Appeal granted. The case was scheduled for definite hearing on October 27.

The APC argued that INEC’s decision to delist its candidate was premature and could potentially impact the ongoing legal process. The party called on INEC to withdraw the delisting decision in the interest of fairness and encouraged Bayelsa residents, especially APC members and supporters, to remain patient while the judicial process unfolds. The APC expressed confidence in its candidate’s victory at the Court of Appeal and in the upcoming election.

The disqualification of Sylva was based on the grounds that he had previously served as governor of Bayelsa and allowing him to contest again would violate the 1999 constitution as amended.

By Daniel Edu

The Supreme Court has rejected Atiku Abubakar’s application to present fresh evidence supporting his appeal, which sought to prove that President Tinubu had forged documents submitted to INEC. The court found that the application was filed after the legally prescribed time had lapsed and, therefore, could not be granted.

By  Milcah  Tanimu

The Supreme Court is set to rule on Abubakar’s motion seeking to file fresh evidence, specifically the Chicago State University records of President Bola Tinubu. The proceedings are taking place amidst heavy security.

There is a strong presence of heavily-armed security personnel in the vicinity and on adjoining roads leading in and out of the Supreme Court, where the judgment will be delivered.Earlier, cameramen from media houses were not allowed access to the premises.
From the Secretariat down to the Supreme Court junction to the main auditorium, a combination of security forces, including the police and the Department of State Security (DSS), have been deployed to secure the area. Only duly accredited individuals and journalists have been granted entrance to the courtroom.

The judgment pertains to the petition filed by Mr. Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar against President Bola Tinubu. Justice Inyang Okoro and six other Justices of the apex court are on the 7-man panel responsible for rendering the judgment.

By Milcah Tanimu

The Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has declared the appointment of Oba Ghandi Olaoye as the new Soun of Ogbomoso null and void. Oyo State’s government officially crowned Pastor Ghandi Olaoye as king on September 8, 2023.

However, Kabir Laoye, one of the contestants for the position, filed a lawsuit against Ghandi Olaoye, contending that he was ineligible for the title.

The court has ruled that the Oyo State government is not permitted to appoint anyone to the position until after its judgment.

Further details to follow.

By Milcah Tanimu

The Supreme Court is set to deliver its judgment on the appeals made by the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Thursday.

Both candidates are seeking to have the apex court overturn the judgment of the presidential election tribunal, which upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu.

According to the Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, the judgment for these appeals has been slated for Thursday.

In a recent meeting between the management of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, it was confirmed that the 10th National Assembly is fully dedicated to empowering the RMAFC to effectively carry out its statutory mandates.

The meeting took place during a courtesy call to Speaker Abbas at his office in Abuja on Tuesday. The Chairman of the RMAFC, Mohammed Bello Shehu, led the Federal Commissioners and other top management staff in this significant visit. Notably, the Speaker was accompanied by prominent House members, including the Majority Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere; Minority Leader, Hon Kingsley Chinda; Deputy Majority Whip, Hon Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga; Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki; Minority Whip, Hon Ali Isa; and Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen expressed his deep concern over the challenges the commission has been facing, such as inadequate funding and infrastructure. He emphasized his familiarity with the RMAFC, having been a member of the House Committee on Finance for eight years, from 2011 to 2019. The Speaker also reaffirmed his commitment to providing the commission with additional powers and support during the 10th National Assembly.

In his words, the Speaker stressed the imperative role of the parliament in assisting the Commission. “One thing that you can take away from this meeting is that the National Assembly, this time around, will make the difference that you require,” he assured.

The Chairman of the RMAFC, Mohammed Bello Shehu, congratulated Speaker Abbas on his emergence on June 13, 2023, highlighting that the Speaker had consistently been one of the Commission’s greatest advocates. He also emphasized the need for a review of the Act that establishes the Commission, aimed at granting it more empowerment and independence. The Chairman noted, “We need enforcement powers, better independence, better funding. We lack the funds to do the things that are mandated for us to do as a Commission.”

This commitment by the 10th National Assembly to empower the RMAFC is poised to have a significant impact on the Commission’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities effectively and contribute to the country’s fiscal and economic development.