Politics

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Supreme Court has affirmed the decision of the tribunal concerning the appeals of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision, backed the lead judgment delivered by Justice John Okoro, thereby dismissing Atiku Abubakar’s appeal challenging the judgment of the presidential petition tribunal. 

The Supreme Court panel, comprising eminent justices including Uwani Aji, Mohammed Garba, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Abubakar Tijjani, Emmanuel Agim, and Salawa Ibrahim, collectively upheld Okoro’s ruling.

Justice Salawa Ibrahim stated, “The application by Atiku is frivolous and vexatious and deserves to be dismissed. I find no merit in the appeal and dismiss, and I affirm the decision of the lower court.” 

Justice Agim echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for the authentication of evidence.

He said, “I agree with the reasoning that the fresh evidence is not authentic as stated by the authority before it was presented. It was not sealed or had the signature. It cannot be used in Nigeria without authentication.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nigerian National Assembly is gearing up for a pivotal period as President Bola Tinubu prepares to present the 2024 budget within the next two weeks. 

Additionally, the President is set to submit the supplementary budget for 2023 to the National Assembly for consideration, according to Senator Solomon Adeola, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation. 

During the inaugural meeting of the committee, Senator Adeola assured that the National Assembly would work diligently to ensure that the 2024 budget is passed before December 31, 2024.

Addressing concerns about the delayed budget presentation, Senator Adeola acknowledged the challenges posed by the change in government, emphasizing that the new administration’s vision and policies needed careful consideration. 

“We must acknowledge the change of government on May 29. The new administration has a new vision, and there are bound to be challenges,” Senator Adeola stated.

Despite these challenges, he promised a thorough examination of the budget, emphasizing the committee’s commitment to meeting the expectations of the Nigerian people. 

“The Finance Minister and the Minister of Budget and Planning are working tirelessly,” Senator Adeola affirmed.

Senator Adeola also addressed concerns about budget padding, dismissing the notion and emphasizing that projects nominated for the budget document were essential to meeting the needs of the people.

He stressed the importance of efficient implementation, highlighting the committee’s dedication to ensuring that government spending aligns with the priorities of infrastructure development. 

In a move signaling a shift in fiscal focus, the National Assembly aims to collaborate closely with key economic stakeholders.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, are scheduled to brief the committee on the action plan for the economy and the collaborative efforts between the National Assembly and the executive branch. 

Senator Adeola emphasized the assembly’s commitment to directing a significant portion of the budget towards driving essential infrastructure projects.

“We won’t support a government where the majority of the budget is spent on the cost of running the government,” he stated firmly.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

President Bola Tinubu has appointed nine new Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

The appointees and their respective states are: 

1. Mr. Isah Shaka Ehimeakne — Edo State
2. Mr. Bamidele Agbede — Ekiti State
3. Mr. Jani Adamu Bello — Gombe State
4. Dr. Taiye Ilayasu — Kwara State
5. Dr. Bunmi Omoseyindemi — Lagos State
6. Alhaji Yahaya Bello — Nasarawa State
7. Prof. Mohammed Yalwa — Niger State
8. Dr. Anugbum Onuoha — Rivers State
9. Mr. Abubakar Fawa Dambo — Zamfara State

These appointments, pending Senate confirmation, signify President Tinubu’s commitment to fostering a transparent and fair electoral process in Nigeria.

The nation eagerly awaits the Senate’s decision, anticipating a future marked by credible and unbiased electoral practices. 

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Supreme Court has announced Monday, October 23, as the date for delivering judgment on the appeal filed by Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), challenging the verdict of the Presidential Tribunal. 

The tribunal had earlier affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the February 25 election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). 

Atiku, who secured the second position in the election, approached the court after his initial suit was struck out. 

In his appeal before the highest court in the land, Atiku’s lead counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, filed a 35-ground notice of appeal, arguing that the tribunal’s judgment contained a “grave error.” 

He contended that the tribunal failed to nullify the presidential election due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, citing evidence of grave misrepresentation by INEC, which violated the principles of the Electoral Act 2022 based on the “doctrine of legitimate expectation.” 

Additionally, Atiku sought to present fresh evidence related to a certificate suit he instituted against Tinubu in the US, alleging that Tinubu forged documents submitted to INEC. 

Atiku affirmed the seriousness of presenting forged documents, especially by a candidate aspiring for the highest office in the country, calling it a “grave constitutional issue” that must not be overlooked. 

Tinubu, in response, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Atiku’s application, labeling it a “crass abuse of court processes.” 

However, Atiku countered, urging the court to consider the substance of his claims rather than technicalities, emphasizing the importance of addressing the constitutional concerns raised by the alleged forgery.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Court of Appeal in Abuja voided the election of Ishaku Abbo, the current representative of Adamawa North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

The court ruled in favour of Amos Yohanna from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Abbo, affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), confirmed the decision to journalists on Monday.

The implications of this ruling on the district’s political landscape are profound, sparking anticipation about the region’s future representation in the National Assembly.

Abbo was a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) before later switching to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

By Sabiu Abdullah

The Federal High Court in Abuja has disqualified Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from contesting the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, slated for November 11, 2023. 

The ruling, delivered by Donatus Okorowo, came in response to a lawsuit filed on June 13, 2023, by Deme Kolomo, a member of the APC, under the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2023.

The court found that Sylva, who had previously served as the state’s governor for two terms, would breach the 1999 constitution as amended if allowed to contest again.

Justice Okorowo pointed out that Sylva had been sworn in twice and had ruled the state for a total of five years, making him ineligible to run for office again. 

Citing the precedent set in the case of Marwa vs. Nyako at the Supreme Court, Justice Okorowo noted that the constitution clearly states that no individual should be voted into the office of governor more than two times.

The judge stressed that allowing Sylva to contest the upcoming election and potentially serve another term would exceed the constitutionally mandated limit of two terms, amounting to more than eight years in office.

This ruling has far-reaching implications for the political landscape in Bayelsa State, setting a legal precedent that reinforces the constitutional boundaries governing the tenure of elected officials.

As the people of Bayelsa prepare for the forthcoming election, this decision reshapes the dynamics of the race, opening the field for new contenders and underscoring the importance of upholding the nation’s constitutional principles.

By Ibrahim Isa Wada

When the current administration was advised by some economic experts to withdraw the subsidy on fuel and allow the Nigerian Naira to find its own value in the international arena, I got so much worried for fears of what would be the outcome. Being a nonexpert on economics, banking or finance, but only a bloody retired broadcast regulator with a fair understanding of day to day current issues, I decided to drop this piece and I hope it will be carefully considered by the experts. All I know is that, life is so hard for all of us since the Naira decided to take a flung and the fuel prices shoot up.

Sadly, some of the experts disappeared while others started to blame the past administration and/or their village people for making our lives so miserable.

Defending the value of the Naira amounts to defending the Tinubu/Kashim administration, and surely the interest of the Nigerian people.

How can any government, businesses or persons successfully plan and execute meaningful projects; how can Nigeria join economic groups, like the BRICS, with such a rickety currency?

I understand that the value of the Nigerian Naira is a function of her balance of trade. That is for the Naira to be strong and stable, the total value of goods and services Nigeria imports must be the same or less than the value of goods and services Nigeria exports over the period of time.

In the present circumstances, we tend to import almost everything including PMS, and even charcoal for smoking Shisha! While we export gold and dollars in cash etc, to safe havens. To be frank, any Nigerian leadership that wants to succeed must have a strong and stable Naira to begin with, which can be achieved by taking the following measures, among others:

1) Bring back the policy of Export Promotion and Import Substitution of the late 70’s.

This should be done with vigour. Any product that could be manufactured in Nigeria shall not be easily imported into the country, while all products that can be exported should receive a boost from the government.

There are means and ways to manuver around international trade politics, like the WTO, to achieve that.

2) Formalise all international transactions, including our transborder trade with ECOWAS and other African countries. Currently the Nigerian Central Bank serves as the unofficial African Central Bank, providing the foreign exchange requirements for many African countries that route their trade through Nigeria.

The trade formalization entails the systemic deployment of adequate personnel and infrastructure that would make international trade between Nigeria and other countries smooth, yet documented.

3) The CBN, Commercial Banks and Bureau De Change operations should have a joint universal forex transactions software that will ease, unify and speed up forex trading.

4) From 3 above, all foreign currency transfers including PTA above $250 must be in digital form.

5) Also from 3 above, the commercial banks and BDC Forex Operator window should capture a basket of about seven major foreign currencies that Nigeria transacts in, i.e Dollar, Yuan, Euro, Pound, CFA, Saudi Riyal and Dirham.

Therefore the BDC operators should have multiple currency accounts with their banks to receive and transfer funds in digital form.

6) The Nigerian government should be bold enough to block all foreign exchange leakages, in form of waivers and favours to individuals and institutions.

7) Develop key institutions targeted towards the elimination of Forex Guzzlers thus:

a) Establish more private universities to reduce students high foreign exchange remittances.

b) Establish more world class hospitals to save foreign exchange from medical tourism.

c) Establish companies for the local fabrication of low technology agricultural and industrial machinery to reduce foreign exchange outflow.

d) Fuel imports should stop at the shortest possible time, by developing more modular refineries, privatising existing ones and ensuring the early take up of the Dangote refinery.

8) In line with the Export Promotion and Import Substitution Strategy, invest heavily in agriculture to reduce food and dairy products import, as well as encourage the exports of cocoa, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, beef, etc.

This is my political perspective of the basic economic issue, because if the politicians fail to defend the value of the Naira and the poor, they will fail utterly in politics.

Ibrahim Isa Wada, writes from Kano, Nigeria. He can be reached via; ibrahimisawada@gmail.com

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a statement to clarify recent confusion regarding its involvement in the Kano State Governorship election petition case.

Reports suggesting INEC’s withdrawal from the appeal process were based on an unauthorised letter, which has since been retracted. 

In an official announcement, Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, noted that the letter in question was not authorised and does not reflect INEC’s stance.

He reassured the public and stakeholders that the INEC has not withdrawn from the case or abandoned the appeal.

When INEC is involved in a legal matter, the Commission is bound to respond appropriately, and this commitment remains steadfast. 

Olumekun reaffirmed INEC’s dedication to upholding the law and ensuring justice prevails.

He stated that the Commission has instructed its legal representatives to proceed with the case in accordance with established policies, which remain unchanged.

By Uzair Adam Imam

There have been moves for collective efforts between the Kano State Bureau of Statistics, Kano Cancer Center and AMG Foundation to establish a comprehensive cancer registry and directory in Kano State.

A statement by the Technical Assistant to the Statistician, General Kano State Bureau of Statistics, Muhammad Tasiu Abbas, disclosed this on Monday.

Abbas said that Dr. Aliyu Isa Aliyu, the Statistician General of Kano State Bureau of Statistics, met with Dr. Amin Magashi about the development.

He added that their meeting revolved around discussing the possibilities of collaboration in establishing a comprehensive cancer registry and directory in the state.

The statement read in part, “The meeting aimed to enhance efforts in collecting and analyzing cancer-related data, ensuring improved planning, prevention, and treatment strategies in the fight against cancer.

“The proposed partnership between the Bureau of Statistics, Cancer Center and AMG Foundation is expected to strengthen the state’s capacity to combat this disease and address the various challenges it poses to public health,” the statement added.

By Sabiu Abdullahi 

The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Lafia, the state capital, has ordered the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return issued to Governor Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the March 18 election. 

This decision came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially declared Governor Sule the winner of the election. 

The tribunal’s ruling was a result of a petition filed by David Ubugadu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who contested the election against Governor Sule.

Ubugadu, dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, approached the tribunal seeking justice. 

This ruling effectively nullified Governor Sule’s victory and led to the withdrawal of his Certificate of Return.