Author: The Nation

Following the alleged plan by a group of people to prevent the handing over of power to the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress North-West has urged all Northwest Youth has urged all Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any undemocratic conduct capable of undermining the country’s democracy.

While stating that nobody can subvert the  national democratic process that led to  Tinubu being elected or the relative peace enjoyed across the country, it said nothing must stop Tinubu’s inauguration.

The APC youth wing said it observed the intensity of unnecessary protests and inciting utterances by supposed statesmen and politicians, as capable of igniting Nigeria. 

The party also recalled that the Department of State Security already alerted that they identified those planing to install interim government.

In a statement by the APC Northwest Youth Leader, Abdulhamid Umar Moh’d (Oscar), the Party warned those plotting  to truncate the May 29 swearing-in of Tinubu after they lost in general elections to  desist from such, because Nigerians who voted the president-elect will protect the country’s interest down to the Aso-villa in Abuja.

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“Northern youths and Nigerians at large will resist any attempt to truncate handing over. We are solidly behind tinubu and ready to protect his victory,” he added. 

He described those that are hell bent on  disrupting the relative peace enjoyed in the country as anti-Nigeria and anti-democratic.

According to Moh’d, People calling for an Interim Government are ignorant of the repercussions. Nigerians paid huge sacrifices for democracy and those calling for the interim government have never made any sacrifice.

“As we are all ware, this kind of evil plot is  treasonable. Luckily enough, the DSS said they have identified those plotting this evil interim government. Therefore,  the APC Northwest Youth is equally calling for the arrest and prosecution of anyone involved in the alleged interim government plot. This should not be taken for granted because majority of Nigerians labour hard, they voted and stood to protect their votes. The votes were counted and the best man won. 

“In the same vien, we are equally warning Labour Party and its supporters to desist from engaging in activity that will cripple the much enjoyed peace in the country. 

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the killing of its members who were on a peaceful protest at Aba in Abia State on Friday to demand release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from the Department of State Service(DSS) detention.

The pro-separatist group alleged in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful that more than 50 unarmed protesters were murdered in cold-blood on Friday for simply asking the Federal Government to obey its own Court which ordered that Kanu should be released unconditionally.

According to the group more than 100 unarmed protesters are still missing while IPOB has recovered about three bodies of murdered protesting youths.

He said more than 30 protesters sustained one degree of bullet wound or the other. 

The group appealed to Abia Police Commissioner to release the bodies of the protesters killed and taken away for their families to organise proper and dignified burial for the deceased. 

The statement reads: “The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the leadership and command of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU is appalled at the joint military and police attack and massacre of some IPOB members who were on a peaceful protest to demand for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU from the DSS dungeon at Aba, Abia State on Friday 31st March, 2023.

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“More than 50 unarmed protesters were murdered in cold-blood on friday for simply asking the Nigerian government to obey its own Court which ordeded that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should be released unconditionally. At the last count, more than one hundred unarmed protesters are still missing while IPOB recovered about three bodies of our murdered youths. More than 30 protesters sustained one degree of bullet wound or the other. The Abia State Police Commissioner should release the bodies of the protesters they killed and took away in other to hide their crime against humanity to their families for proper and dignified burial. 

“Nigeria Government and her security agencies must stop house to house searching for IPOB members and the world should take note of the atrocities against the innocent citizens of Aba, Abia State, the newly elected Governor and the present governor of Abia state must take notice and stop these atrocities happening right now in Abia State. 

“These sort of mindless massacre of our people only strengthen our resolve to seek out genuine and honest partners and partnership that will be mutually beneficial and foster the needed protection for the Biafran people.”

The Labour Party(LP) in Ondo State has asked the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to cancel elections in constituencies where the party’s name and logo were excluded on the ballot papers during the February 25th elections. 

It is asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh election in the various constituencies. 

Constituencies where the party is seeking cancellation are Ondo Central Senatorial district, Akoko South East/ South West; Akure North/South; Okiti-pupa/Irele and Ondo East/Ondo West Federal. 

Candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) won elections in all the affected constituencies. 

A statement by the State Coordinator of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Abiodun Ambode, said the party considered it necessary to challenge what he termed unlawful exclusion of the party and its candidates in the  Constituencies and the Ondo Central Senatorial District. 

Ambode said the petitions were filed on the 17th March 2023 by a team of lawyers led by Chief Olusola Ebiseni. 

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He alleged that the electoral body unlawfully excluded the party’s symbol on the ballot papers used for the elections contrary to the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act 2022. 

Ambode said among reliefs sought at thr tribunal is a declaration that the elections held on the 25th February 2023 was invalid and unlawful. 

“An Order setting aside the elections and order mandating the 1st Respondent to conduct a fresh election in full compliance with the constitution and the Electoral Act wherein the 2nd Petitioner shall be allowed to participate as the candidate of the 1st petitioner in the fresh elections.”

The Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, has berated  the acting leader of the apex Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, for rejecting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the president-elect. 

He said Yoruba monarchs recognise only Pa Reuben Fasoranti as the authentic leader of Afenifere, not Adebanjo. 

The monarch stated this while featuring on Southwest Political Circuit, a programme on Fresh 105.9FM, Ibadan on Saturday.

Adebanjo recently claimed that Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) won the election and not Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress ((APC) who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

Adebanjo’s Afenifere also suspended its spokesman Jare Ajayi for issuing a statement recognising Tinubu as the president-elect. 

But Oba Alao said Nigerians chose the president-elect for justice, equity and unity.

He said: “Everybody who voted for Tinubu wanted the country to be united. That is what the presidential election symbolises. The victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu symbolises unity, equity and justice.

“Tinubu is not the interest of Yoruba alone, he is the interest of the whole Nigeria. Thank God the election has spoken well. The people have voted.”

The monarch, who campaigned for Tinubu in the build-up to the presidential election, also criticised Adebanjo for claiming that his support for Obi was the position of Afenifere.

He noted that traditional rulers across the South West only recognise the Afenifere group led by Pa Reuben Fasoranti.

“I think Adebanjo is having this old age syndrome.

“Adebanjo has lost it. He is a man that we both share some views together, we do talk. I think the way he is driving this issue of Afenifere is like the group belongs to his faction.

“The real Afenifere that the traditional rulers recognize today is that of Fasoranti because Fasoranti’s leadership does not comprise only the elders in Ondo State, it does not comprise only the elders in Ogun State,  it does not comprise only the elders in Oyo State; the  elders cross across the entire South West states.

“But if the likes of Adebanjo will just sit down in his room and just come up with some few guys and said look, this is our agenda in the name of Afenifere, we disagree with it. It is a mere fluke. Adebanjo is not representing any Yoruba interest, he is not representing any South West interest. The only Afenifere we traditional rulers recognise today is led by Fasoranti and if we are talking about traditional rulers, it is across all the South West states.

“Baba has not behaved in an elderly way, his behaviour is so primordial and very parochial. If you say you are Afenifere, then, it should be in the interest of Yoruba, not in the interest of any other thing.

“The people of South West, North West, North East, North Central, South South and across Nigeria have spoken and they vehemently spoke that this is the person that they have voted as their president. In this kind of world, there are many channels. You go straight to the judiciary if you are aggrieved  about Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; you can go to the judiciary and explain yourself,” he said.

Oba Alao further said Adebanjo and former president Olusegun Obasanjo are suffering from entitlement mentality, adding  that they can no longer be regarded as elder statesmen.

He said: “These people have this entitlement mentality, that it must be we, it must be us.

“Adebanjo and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo are suffering from old age syndrome and self entitlement. I know the two of them personally. 

“As a matter of fact, Baba (Obasanjo) has a right to his own opinion. If you say you are not going to vote for your kinsman, no problem; but if you are in a position of an elder statesman, don’t be the prosecutor, the judge and also the investigator. They are in the position of ‘I will be the one to arrest, I will be the one to prosecute, I will be the one to judge.’ So, you are not an elder statesman anymore.”

Cuba and Nicaragua have joined the growing list of countries to congratulate President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory.

The Developing Eight Organisations for Economic Cooperation (D8) also extended felicitations to the President-elect on his electoral success.

This development was contained in a statement by the media aide of the President-elect, Tunde Rahman in Abuja on Saturday.

The statement reads: “The Republics of Cuba and Nicaragua through their Presidents have joined the growing list of countries congratulating Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on his victory in the February 25 presidential polls.

“In a congratulatory letter to Asiwaju Tinubu signed by President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the Cuban Government described his election as a reaffirmation of the will to continue to strengthen the historic relations of friendship between the two countries.

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“On its part, Nicaragua expressed her best wishes for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity.

“Our best wishes for peace and prosperity of Nigeria, while reiterating our unwavering commitment to continue strengthening the fraternal bonds of solidarity and brotherhood that unite our peoples and governments,” the letter signed by President Daniel Ortega Saavedra and Rosario’s Murillo stated.

The D8 statement, signed by its Secretary-General, Nigerian-born Ambassador Isiaka Abdulqadir Imam, showered praises on Nigeria for its active membership of the organisation founded more than 25 years ago.

It declared: “Nigeria is a staunch member of the D8 Organisation. The country graciously hosts the D8 Health and Social Protection (D-8 HSP) in Abuja and is on track to host the D8 Centre for Small and Medium Enterprises. Nigeria is also preparing to host the first D8 Private Sector-driven Energy Forum in Lagos in mid-2023.”

Expressing the organisation’s confidence that Nigeria under the Tinubu-led government would be more peaceful and prosperous and emerge as an economic powerhouse in Africa and on the global stage, the D8 added: “We look forward to working with your administration to realise the aims and objectives of our organisation.”

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has nominated Justice Adolphus Enebeli (rtd), as the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

The Governor announced the nomination during a state banquet in Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday night in honour of the renowned jurist, who just retired from the state judiciary.

Wike in a statement signed by his Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, explained that the nomination of Justice Enebeli to head the state electoral umpire was in appreciation of his immense contribution to the development of the justice system in the state.

He said: “On Monday, I will recommend you to the State House of Assembly to be the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. So, you should not say you are not going to be relevant.

“You have sacrificed, you have worked for this State. Look at the number of judgements you churned
out, look at what people are talking about you, including the Body of Senior Advocates, the Nigerian Bar of Association, NBA, the Attorney General.

” You have sacrificed and worked hard for this State, and people must say look, we still need your service. I don’t care what anybody says, you have done well for Rivers State and you must be honoured.”

The Rivers Governor described Justice Enebeli as a courageous and hardworking jurist, who devoted 31 years of his life to the advancement of the justice system in the state.

Wike noted that the volume of judgements delivered by Justice Enebeli in the last quarter preceding his retirement on Friday was a demonstration of his untiring commitment to the service of the state.

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He said: “He never waived, he never returned any case file, whether political or whatever. He said whatever will be, will be. He will always say I will do what am supposed to do, I took oath of office. And that is what we are lacking in this country.”

Wike noted that despite being a judge in the state judiciary, Justice Enebeli demonstrated his impartiality by recently delivering over N1bn judgement against the Rivers government.

“But you see, we must accept reality. He believes in the justice of the people, and that is what we are supposed to do. And that is what I encourage everybody to do”, he said

Wike also used the occasion to thank God for the appointment of Justice Mary Odili, JSC (rtd), as the chairman of Body of Benchers in Nigeria.

Rivers Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, noted that Justice Enebeli was an epitome of hard work, dedication and courage.

He reiterated that Justice Enebeli never rejected any case assigned to him, irrespective of the nature of the matter.

Justice Amadi observed that contrary to sentiments expressed that judges in Rivers were rubber stamp of government, Justice Enebeli churned out four judgements against the state government and commended Wike for recognizing excellence in service.

The immediate past Chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in Oyo State, Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye has commended Governor Seyi Makinde for renaming Tech University Ibadan, after the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

Makinde on Friday announced the renaming of the Technical University, Ibadan to Senator Abiola Ajimobi First Technical University, Ibadan in honor of the late politician.

In a statement in Ibadan, Prince Abass-Aleshinloye expressed gratitude to the Governor for the deserved honour accorded the late Ajimobi.

According to him: “Heroes don’t die, when they exit their indelible footprints keep their memories alive. That Gov. Makinde for the first time in his tenure, openly and officially acknowledged the great achievements of Ajimobi particularly in education, health, security, road and many social infrastructure, is a testimony that diamond will always be diamond anytime and anywhere no matter how long it takes people to recognise it and its value”

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He expressed profound gratitude to Makinde for the well deserved honor done to the late leader.

“Ajimobi was an architect of a new order, an erudite leader, a consummate politician who served the pacesetter state with utmost dedication, love and focus to make Oyo State greater than he met it for his eight years of remarkable achievements and giant stride.

“The late Ajimobi was a leader who never relented on his quest to bring excellence to Oyo State. He was a great service to us all and immortalising his name is a right step in the right direction by Governor Makinde,” the statement added.

The former ALGON chairman advised Makinde and Oyo residents to take Ajimobi’s giant stride while in office as the benchmark of governance which Governors must meet or surpass.