REC

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu is currently leading the 23rd session of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the State House in Abuja.

The meeting, which is the second part of a two-day session, commenced at 1:26 pm on Tuesday when the president arrived at the Council Chamber.

On Monday, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, explained that the meeting would extend into the next day due to the accumulation of pending memos.

“Let me also say that there is also another Federal Executive Council meeting coming up tomorrow,” Idris stated. “Recall that since December, we’ve not had anyone, so a lot of memos have gathered, and the President is determined to dispense with all of them. So we want to say that tomorrow, there will be another press briefing after the FEC meeting.”

Among those in attendance are Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation Didi Walson-Jack, as well as several ministers and ministers of state.

During Monday’s session, the council approved a budget of N4.8 billion for the Presidential Treatment Programme, which will supply 150,000 HIV treatment packs from February to May 2025.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, informed journalists that the decision was influenced by discussions on the impact of recent U.S. policy changes on Nigeria’s health initiatives, particularly regarding funding for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria programs.

By Uzair Adam

The suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State, Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari, has appealed to the Adamawa State High Court to adjourn the case against him indefinitely.

During a hearing on Thursday, Ari, through his counsel, M. Tijanni, submitted an application requesting the court to stay proceedings in the case pending a decision on his appeal filed at the Court of Appeal, Yola Division.

The Daily Reality gathered that the application, dated January 21, 2025, urged the court to put the trial on hold.

However, the state’s counsel, Chief L. D. Nzadon, strongly opposed the plea, describing it as a challenge to the rule of law and the administration of criminal justice.

He argued that the law does not permit such applications in criminal matters and called on the court to dismiss Ari’s request.

Following arguments from both parties, Justice Benjamin Manji Lawan adjourned the case to January 30, 2025, for a ruling on the application.

Ari’s legal troubles stem from his controversial actions during the 2023 governorship election in Adamawa State. While serving as INEC REC, he declared a winner before the collation process was concluded, bypassing the Returning Officer’s authority.

The incident sparked widespread criticism and led to his suspension by the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He now faces charges for the alleged electoral offence.