Judiciary

Supreme Court Verdict: Oyo APC Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima

By Web News 444

By Oluwakayode Banjo

The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo State has described the Thursday verdict of the Supreme Court which gave final validation to the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the February 25, 2023 poll as the best thing to have happened to the nation’s democracy in recent times calling on the Petitioners to join hands with the APC administration in order to move the country forward.

The Apex Court, on Thursday, threw out the appeals of the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and former governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, against the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which had earlier validated the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and thus put paid to all issues generated before, during and after the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Thursday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC congratulated President Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kassim Shettima as well as the APC’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, and others who fought spiritedly at the court to safeguard the wishes and aspirations of the majority of Nigerian electorate who freely chose the APC candidate at the poll

“It was known to the global community, including all well-meaning Nigerians, that the candidates of both the PDP and LP were merely chasing shadows as there was no reason for them to contest the results of a free, fair and transparent election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission in total compliance with all the laws of the land. 

“Now that both Abubakar Atiku and Peter Obi have exhausted all options to upturn the popular mandate freely given to President Bola Tinubu by Nigerians, we are urging them and their supporters to come to term with the reality on ground and establish contact with Mr. President for possible collaboration on the success of the Nigerian Project. 

“It is our humble opinion that all hands should be on deck to support President Tinubu and his team on the task of fixing the country. Our nation is having her own share of global economic instability in addition to some peculiar security challenges among other things and it is when all citizens join hands together to tackle these problems head long that we can achieve meaningful success within the shortest time possible.” Oyo APC stated.

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Politics

Fresh Evidence: Supreme Court Dismisses Atiku’s Motion

By Web News 827

The Supreme Court has dismissed the motion filed by former Vice President and Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Atiku had sought leave of the court to file fresh evidence in his appeal against the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.

In his motion, Atiku requested the apex court to grant him permission to introduce additional evidence in the form of depositions on oath from the Chicago State University.

These depositions aimed to disclaim the certificate presented by President Bola Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The 7-Man Panel of Justices, led by Justice Inyang Okoro, who ruled on the motion, held that the apex court lacked jurisdiction to allow the filing of fresh evidence that was not previously pleaded at the Presidential Election Petitions Court.

Justice Okoro further stated that Atiku should have sought an amendment of his pleadings and an extension of time, as the 180-day period allowed by the Constitution had already elapsed since the 17th of last month.

The justices are still deliberating on the main appeals challenging the victory of Bola Tinubu in the February 25 presidential election.

Security beefed up ahead of Supreme Court ruling

Earlier, there was heavy presence of security personnel around the Supreme Court, venue of the final judgment on the 2023 presidential election.

From the Supreme Court junction down to the main auditorium, combined security personnel, including the Police and the Department of State Security (DSS), manned the sections and only allowed duly accredited personalities and journalists entrance into the courtroom.

Dignitaries such as the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, President Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, the Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, the Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, have arrived at the apex court.

Other justices on the seven-man panel are Uwani Abaji, Lawal Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijani Abubakar, and Emma Agim.

Ifeoma Nwovu

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Politics

Tribunal Verdict: Atiku, PDP to Address World Press Conference Thursday

By Web News 416

The Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate during the February 25, 2023, presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, will today address a world press conference.

This is coming after the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal threw out his case and upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

The PUNCH reports that Atiku and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, rejected Wednesday’s judgment of the tribunal affirming the election of Tinubu.

The Legal Adviser to the Labour Party, Kehinde Edun, vowed to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court.

Also, Atiku’s Lead Counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, said he had received instructions from his client to file an appeal at the Supreme Court.

He said “The judgment has been delivered but we have not received justice. Luckily, the law has given us leverage to go on appeal to the Supreme Court. We have instructions from our clients to go to the Supreme Court. The struggle continues.”

The PEPT, which began sitting at 9.40 a.m. at the Court of Appeal, Abuja, ruled that the petition filed by Atiku and Obi, and their parties had no merit and unanimously upheld Tinubu’s electoral victory in the February 25 presidential election.

The five-member panel took turns to dismiss the petitions presented by Atiku and Obi against the declaration of Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission on March 1, 2023.

The judgment was delivered by the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Haruna Tsammani, assisted by other members of the panel-Justices Stephen Adah, Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf, Moses Ugo and Abba Mohammed

Not satisfied by the ruling, Atiku, who is a former Vice President, alongside the PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, said they will be addressing a world press on the development.

The conference billed to hold at the NEC Hall, located on the ground floor of the PDP National Headquarters,  will start by 2:30 pm

The invite sent to journalists by the party’s National Director of Publicity read, “Hello Gentlemen of the Press, good evening.

“This is to invite you to a press briefing to be addressed by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun and PDP Presidential Candidate, H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON.”

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Politics

Oyo PDP Rallies Support for Atiku, Makinde Flags off Campaign

By Web News 1033

Thousands of supporters of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential candidate Atiku/Okowa support group have staged a walk in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to canvass votes for PDP in the February 25th presidential election.

The walk, tagged freedom walk, commenced at Total Garden-Agodi- Gate-Oje and terminated at the ancient Mapo Roundabout, Ibadan.

The PDP party loyalists for Atiku/Okowa group defied the harsh weather to walk around the designated routes, chanting various solidarity songs and dancing to the lyrics of an Ibadan Fuji maestro, Taiwo Adebisi popularly known as Taye Currency.

Security operatives were positioned in strategic places to foster the breakdown of law and order.

Addressing the mammoth crowd, the Director Southern Nigeria for the Atiku/Okowa Campaign Council, Jide Adeniji while soliciting support for PDP presidential candidate described Alhaji Atiku as a unifier who is more experienced to tackle head on various challenges facing the nation

Mr Adeniji also stressed that the 5-point agenda of the Waziri Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar would no doubt take Nigeria to greater heights.

Also, former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide called on the electorate in the state to vote for all candidates of PDP  stressing that there was no division in the PDP family in Oyo state.

Others party stalwarts, who took turns to speak, urged party members to be united ahead of this year’s election.

In the meantime, Governor Seyi Makinde would flag off the campaign for his second term bid at  Mapo, Ibadan tomorrow Thursday,5th January 2023.

Expected at the flag-off ceremony are the G-5 governors led by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Samuel Ortom, Benue State, Ifeanyi Uguwuanyi, Enugu and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia states to show solidarity with their counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.

Radio Nigeria reports that the venue of the flag-off is already wearing a new look in preparation for the day.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Politics

Fayose Sues Atiku, Ayu

By Web News 1371

An Abuja businessman and Politician, Mr Isaac Fayose has dragged the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Mr Iyorchia Ayu and the Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the Federal High court sitting in Abuja.

In the suit filed by his counsels, A.Akpofure, T.E Ekekwe, Mr Fayose is challenging the decision of the party to retain Mr Ayu as its National Chairman after the emergence of Alhaji Abubakar as the presidential flag bearer for the 2023 general elections.

According to the suit, Mr Fayose is asking the court to determine whether the respondents were not violating the 1999 constitution as amended, as well as, the federal character, bearing in mind that Mr Ayu and Atiku Abubakar were both from the Northern region.

Mr Fayose also questioned the rotation system and zoning formula of the current leadership of the PDP, stressing that it did not reflect the party’s constitution.

Mr Fayose, through the suit, however, requested for a court injunction to restrain Mr Ayu from being the National Chairman of the party pending the conduct of an emergency National Convention to elect a new chairman from the Southern region.

Oluwakayode Banjo

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Politics

PDP Selects Okowa as Atiku’s Running Mate

By Web News 539

Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has emerged as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Mr Okowa’s nomination was announced and confirmed by Atiku himself on Thursday at an unveiling event of his running mate held in Abuja.

Atiku while speaking on his choice said his Vice President must fulfil the qualities to be president and one that could complement him as a President.

He added that he should symbolize the quality to unite Nigeria, who is not afraid to speak and give advice on governance in the country.

He also added that his running mate must understand what he described as the depth of rots in the Nigerian system, with an understanding of the critical needs of economic growth.

Following the announcement, Okowa will thereafter be screened by a committee already set up for that purpose.

The selection of Governor Okowa has put to rest the rumour-making round that co-contestant of Alhaji Atiku in the PDP presidential primary election who is also the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesome Wike had been picked as Atiku running mate in the presidential election.

Vanguard/Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

 

 

Politics

Breaking : Atiku Wins PDP Presidential Ticket

By Web News 756

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has won the presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja

Alhaji Atiku polled a total number of 371 votes to defeat his closest rival who is the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike who had 237 votes.

In the third position is the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki who had 70 votes. Others are; Governor Udom Emmanuel, 38 votes, Bala Muhammed, 20 voters, Anyim Pius Anyim, 14 votes and Tariela Oliver and Sam Ohuabunwa each received one vote each.

Dele Momodu, Ayo Fayose, Charles Ugwu, and Chikwendu Kalu scored zero vote.

In his acceptance speech, Alhaji Atiku pledged to make security and the unity of Nigerians his priority when elected President in 2023 while appealing to PDP members to come together in the interest of the party and Nigerians who have placed their hopes on the party.

Oluwayemisi Owonikoko /Oluwakayode Banjo

Lifestyle

Obasanjo, AbdulSalami, Atiku, 13 Governors, Ooni, Davido, others to grace Oyo Speaker’s Wedding

By Web News 703

As the 34year old Speaker of Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin prepares to walk down the aisle with his fiancé, Olamidun Majekodunmi, former heads of State, Governors, political icons, industrialists, traditional rulers, entertainment gurus and other dignitaries across the country and beyond are set to storm the ancient city of Ibadan this weekend.

Adebo Ogundoyin, the son of the late philanthropist and business tycoon, the late Chief Adeseun Ogundoyin became the speaker of the Oyo State 9th assembly at the age of 32 following the victory of the state’s ruling party at the 2019 general election.

The wedding ceremony tagged “DO THE HONOUR” is slated to hold on the 25th and 27th, November, 2021 and is expected to be attended by influential personalities and political bigwigs including the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State, Alh AbdulSalami Abubakar, the Turaki of Adamawa, Alhaji Atiku Abukakar, 13 Governors, His Imperial Majesties – Ooni of Ife, Alaafin of Oyo and the Olubadan of Ibadanland

Among the 13 Governors are the Oyo State Governor, Engr Oluseyi Makinde who is the Chief host, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, the Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu and their counterpart from Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The roll call of dignitaries expected at the Wedding will equally include Speakers of States Houses of Assembly, federal and State lawmakers and legal luminaries including chief Justices.

The King of Juju Music, Sunny Ade , the popular Nigerian-American Singer David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido, Juju Gospel King, Yinka Aiyefele, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel aka Mayorkun and Ayo Balogun are amongst top Musicians expected to spice up the Wedding ceremonies.

The Turaki of Adawama, Alh Atiku Abubakar is the father of the day.

The Wedding ceremonies will hold at the International Conference Center, U.I Wedding Engagement, All Saints Anglican Church, Bodija Holy Matrimony and the Polo Club Eleyele, Ibadan Wedding Reception.

Adewumi Faniran