Author: The Nation

•Court decides today on LP’s legal battle with election agency

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said that the reset of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines must be done before Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections can hold across the federation.

The electoral agency explained that it required adequate time to reconfigure the BVAS machines before the polls.

According to INEC, the order granted to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, to inspect the machines should be varied.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) sitting in Abuja is expected to rule today at 2pm on the LP’s legal battle with the electoral umpire.

It will also rule on the motions by the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for leave to inspect materials used by the commission the recent presidential election.

The tribunal, during yesterday’s proceedings, also fixed ruling for the same time on the motions by INEC, the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate.

Tinubu’s lawyer, Akintola Makinde, while moving the two motions ex-parte, said they were to seek the court’s permission to inspect materials used for the election and obtain copies and other materials to prepare his case.

Lawyer to the APC, Omosanya Popoola, moved the two ex-parte motions filed for the party and in which it seeks similar prayers as contained in Tinubu’s motions.

Earlier, lawyer to INEC, Tanimu Inuwa (SAN), while arguing his client’s motion on notice, prayed the court to grant the prayers sought.

Inuwa said it was necessary that the order granted Obi and Atiku to inspect the BVAS be varied.

He said the commission should be allowed to store the date currently being held in the BVAS on INEC’s back end server to enable it deploy the same machines for the governorship and House of Assembly elections slated for March 11.

Inuwa said time was of the essence because INEC required adequate time to reconfigure the BVAS machines before the proposed elections.

He said INEC was particularly concerned with Orders Four and Five, which relate to the digital and forensic analysis of the BVAS machines.

Lawyer to Obi and LP, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), objected to INEC application and urged the court to dismiss it.

Ikpeazu subsequently moved the motion he filed for his clients’ for the court’s permission to conduct physical inspection of the BVAS machines to enable them extract information embedded therein.

He added that his clients also wanted to obtain a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the report of the BVAS machines.

Ikpeazu said Obi and LP wanted the evidence in the BVAS machines preserved before they are reconfigured, because information on the INEC back end server vary from time to time.

Responding, Inuwa cautioned the court against granting the application by Obi and LP on the grounds that it could negatively affect INEC’s preparation for Saturday’s elections.

He said the granting of the application “will cause us serious delay in the conduct of the governorship election coming in 11 March”.

Inuwa said: “We need the BVAS for the next election. Granting the order will act as clog in our preparation and may affect the conduct of the election, which date is circumscribed by the constitution,” he said.

He added that each machine needed to be configured separately and done one after the other, because each polling units is peculiar.

Inuwa said no data would be lost if they are moved to INEC’s back end server, because the data transferred there are secure.

The court could not hear similar motions filed Atiku.

When lawyer to the PDP and Atiku, Emeka Etiaba (SAN), informed the court about the motions he filed, Inuwa said he was just served and required time to respond.

The court’s three-member panel, presided over by Joseph Ikyegh, ordered lawyers to parties to return on Wednesday at 2pm for the hearing of the motions.

• Traders reject old currencies
• AGF mum over S’Court judgment

By Simeon Ebulu, Nduka Chiejina, Collins Nweze, Kolade Adeyemi, Toba Adedeji, Chris Njoku, Nwanosike Onu, Bisi Olaniyi, Sunny Nwankwo, Rosemary Nwisi, Bassey Anthony and Duku Joel

Some banks continued the payment of the old naira notes to their customers yesterday.

This is in spite of the failure of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to issue a formal directive to that effect. 

Efforts by The Nation to get clarification from the CBN on speculations that it had authorised the payment of the old notes in compliance with last Friday’s judgment on naira redesign failed. 

The Supreme Court had had in a unanimous decision held that the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to the CBN for the redesigning and withdrawal of old notes of N200, N500 and N1,000, without consultation with the states, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Council of State and other stakeholders, was unconstitutional.

The apex court observed that no reasonable notice was given before the implementation of the policy as provided under the CBN Act.

A CBN source, who volunteered information on the matter, said there was no information to add or refute on the current scarcity of the naira at the banks. 

He, however, asked The Nation to visit the banks for an update.  

However, most of the bank customers who got paid met a brick wall in the open market as the old notes they received were rejected.

The states where some bank branches paid old notes are Oyo, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Kwara, Imo, Anambra, Plateau, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom and Yobe. 

A few banks in Lagos commenced payments of the old notes on Monday.

Unlike customers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Gombe and Benue states that had no access to cash, some depositors in Plateau and Anambra states protested the payment of old notes to them by bank tellers.

The bank customers in Plateau and Anambra said they were rejecting the old notes because traders, transporters and artisans still do not see them as legal tenders. 

Many traders in Lagos FCT, Kwara and Akwa Ibom also turned down the old notes.

Some parts of Lagos where payments of old notes continued yesterday across the counters and Automatic Teller Machines(ATMs), included Festac Town, Ikeja, Agege, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, Surulere and Mushin.

Some banks in Ibadan also paid their customers with old notes, thereby bringing respite to them.

Although there were long queues of customers at most of the banks, many expressed happiness that they could access funds.

However, it was different tales around town as some business owners, particularly filling station operators, rejected the old notes.

In Osogbo, Osun State, The Nation observed that banks along Ogo-Oluwa, Fakunle and GOF junction loaded their ATM machines with old notes.

The availability of cash also excited the customers, especially at Ogo-Oluwa.

A banker who pleaded not to be named said they were awaiting delivery of old notes so that more people would have access to cash.

“Other banks aside our bank have commenced giving the old note out today but we will start ours tomorrow, immediately they make it available I will let you know,” he said.

Also in Benin, Edo State, most commercial banks paid the old notes. Some customers were able to withdraw N10,000 via ATMs and counters while others had to do with less.

In Jos, Plateau State, bank officials were taken aback when residents, especially civil servants, that had thronged their banking halls turned down old notes paid to them.

The civil servants, who had spent hours in queues before entering the banking halls, insisted on being paid new notes.

Those whose cheques were processed for withdrawal opted to deposit them.  

Other customers in the halls and ATM galleries who got wind that they were to be paid old notes quietly left the queues.

One of them, Ephraim Andrew, said he was once paid in N500 old note which he had not been able to spend.

“That made me sceptical of collecting old notes today(yesterday). Since the public is rejecting it, I have no reason to collect it from the bank. So, if we collect old notes from banks, where are we going to spend them.”

Another customer, Eze Greg said: “I intended to withdraw N10,000 through the ATM, but when I discovered that the machine was dispensing old notes, I had to input only N2,000.”

Hundreds of customers in Owerri, Imo State who had waited for hours in queues were paid N5,000 each in old notes across the counters. 

One of them who did not want to be named, said: “Some of us who managed to enter the banking hall were given N5,000 after waiting for several hours in the queue. 

“Worst still, we were given old N500 and N1000 notes which market women, men and transporters are rejecting.” 

The situation was, however, better in Awka, Anambra State where residents were able to withdraw a maximum of N20,000 each, but in old notes which traders and transporters also reject.

The traders and tricycle operators said they would not accept the old notes until the President addresses the nation.

In Dutse, Jigawa State where payments were also made by some bank branches, traders and small business operators turned down the old notes from their customers.

Traders, transporters and fuel stations in Ilorin, also did the same, leaving customers who had the opportunity of being paid N3,000 each by some banks in the Kwara State capital in a quandary.

But in Gombe and Benue states, banks neither paid the new nor old notes, leaving residents to groan more without cash.

A customer in Gombe, Hussaina Yila said: “It’s been pretty difficult getting money from banks and we thought that with the Supreme Court judgement, the banks will relax the policy to obey the rule of law but sadly the reverse is the case.” 

Most banks in Abuja still did not have cash in their vaults yesterday to service their customers.  

However, around 3 pm some banks started paying old notes through their ATMs.

A branch in the Central Business District (CBD) dispensed a maximum of N10,000.

Many of the customers, who queued for cash at ATMs on Victoria Island abandoned the machines when they discovered they were dispensing old notes. 

A Lagos-based entrepreneur, Michael Abiodun, said it was very risky collecting the old notes since CBN had yet to clarify issues around the local currency. 

“I cannot accept the notes because my customers are also not accepting them. What we need from the ATMs or bank tellers are new notes, not the same old notes we queued to return to the banks,” he said.

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday lauded the victory of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The nation’s umbrella Muslim organisation said it could testify to Tinubu’s track records in public service and decades of hard work.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by its Deputy Secretary-General, Prof. Salisu Shehu, it urged the President-elect to raise an all-inclusive team. 

The statement said: “The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, on behalf of the entire Muslim Ummah (community) in Nigeria, heartily congratulates you, on your resounding victory during the Presidential election and emergence as the President-elect.

“The council is also very grateful to Almighty Allah for the victory, which is a clear manifestation of His immense favours on you and His preference that you lead our great people and nation at this point in time. Alhamdulillah! (Glory be Allah).”

The NSCIA urged the President-elect to implement a large-scale transformation of the country when he is inaugurated.

The statement added: “Your victory did not actually come to us in the Council as a surprise. We have followed with keen interest your trajectory in the Nigerian political landscape.

“We can attest to your track records in public service, your decades of hard work, selflessness, sacrifice, unflagging commitment and dedication to the Nigerian project as well as the excellent interpersonal relationships that you have built across the country over the years.     

“In addition, Your Excellency, you are a very experienced human and financial resources manager, a hunter of talents and an enabler of men and women. You are sui generis (in a class of your own) among your peers in the encouragement that you constantly give to the Nigerian youths to offer their best in the service of our country.

“Consequently, the Council is confident that you would bring to bear your wealth of experience in assembling an all-inclusive team of experts in the administration of our country in a way that would foster unity and peace as well as engender sustainable development that we all crave.

“Justice is considered as the hallmark of leadership and a non-negotiable requirement of Islam.”

“We urge you, upon assumption of office, to put in place policies and measures that would lead to the large-scale transformation of our country’s economy, security, social infrastructure, and human capital development.”

The council also asked Tinubu to be truthful, honest, fair, transparent, and disciplined.

The NSCIA added: “We would like to remind you that as a Muslim in a position of authority, leadership is trust, and a lot will also be expected from and demanded of you by the people of this great country. 

“We, therefore, urge Your Excellency to continue to be good, truthful, honest, fair, transparent, disciplined, prayerful and righteous in the discharge of the duties Allah has entrusted to you because every opportunity is for an appointed term. You can always count on the support and prayers of the NSCIA in this respect.

“We pray that the Almighty Allah bless you abundantly and grant you success so that your tenure shall be a reference point in the annals of leadership in this country.

“We also beseech Him to guide, guard and grant you the wisdom and strength to discharge your duties creditably so as to showcase and enhance the image of Islam by your exemplary conduct and performance.

“The council requests that you reflect on the above-quoted verses of the Glorious Qur’an as they are relevant to the current situation. Indeed, in the cited verses are messages for you to ponder upon.

“While thanking the Almighty Allah for His grace in your life and fervently praying for your success in this exalted position, please accept the assurances of the Council’s highest regards.”

KOLADE ADEYEMI, Kano; LINUS OOTA, Lafia; UJA EMMANUEL, Makurdi; Bisi Oladele, Southwest Bureau Chief; Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu; Elo Edremoda, Warri; Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan; Ahmed Rufa’I, Dutse; Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta; Eric Ikhilae, Abuja; AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna; Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Oyo

‘Why Makinde deserved re-election’

The Southwest zonal leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the electorate in Oyo State to focus on Governor Seyi Makinde’s achievements as the reason to vote for him on Saturday.

The zonal leadership, in a statement by its Spokesman Chief Sanya Atofarati, emphasised that Makinde has demonstrated competence in the last four years, adding that his achievements are testimonies of his commitment to the development of the state.

The group, in the statement said it was pertinent to look beyond the outcome of last week Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly elections and focus on returning Governor  Makinde to Agodi Government House to complete his second term.

“Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in the past four years has brought a paradigm shift in the area of governance, welfare, infrastructure and poverty alleviation to the good people of Oyo State.

Similarly, Makinde has sought the cooperation of religious bodies to back his party’s candidates vying for elective offices in the forthcoming election.

In a meeting with religious bodies comprising traditional, Islamic and Christianity, Makinde, who was represented by his  Executive Assistant on Administration, Rev. Idowu Ogedengbe, appealed for a peaceful atmosphere during the election, said the groups should encourage their members to cast their votes for the ruling party.

ENUGU

CAN endorses PDP’s candidate, Mbah

The Enugu State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah.

The apex religious body said it decided to back Mbah because Enugu needed a leader with the capacity to engender economic rebirth, industrialisation, job creation, peace, security and a thriving environment for investments in the state.

CAN said this at the end of an interactive session with Mbah in Enugu, stressing that the entrepreneur’s qualifications and preparedness for the job put him poles ahead of the other candidates.

CAN’s Chairman in the state, Rev. Emmanuel Edeh, who commended Mbah for his preparedness, said Mbah holds the key to the desired greater future for Enugu.

DELTA

‘Obidient’ group adopts APC’s Omo-Agege

The Consultative Assembly of the Obidient Movement has adopted Senator Ovie Omo-Agege as its consensus governorship candidate for the March 11 election in Delta state.

Omo-Agege is the Deputy Senate President and candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In a statement made available to reporters in Warri, Tuesday, the group disclosed that it’s decision was based on the fact that DSP Omo-Agege was the most generally accepted candidate for the election.

The statement, which was signed by Udofia Victory, Pastor Daniel Agbroko, Omotuwou Onovirakpo and four others on behalf of the 63 groups that constitute the Delta State Chapter, called on all Obidients in the state to come out and vote for the APC in the governorship election, come Saturday.

JIGAWA

‘We’ll vote candidate with good welfare package’

THE Jigawa State Association of People with Disability (PWDs) said the association would support only governorship candidate that shows commitment and assurance to members’ welfare and wellbeing.

The group’s Zonal National Vice Chairman (Northwest) , Muhammad Usman, made this pledge during a meeting with the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Malam Umar Danmodi.

During the parley at Manpower Development Institute, Dutse, Usman appealed to the APC flag bearer to continue with good policies and programmes to the people with disability.

The Jigawa APC candidate, who is the incumbent deputy governor, called on all the people with disabilities to continue to pray for peace and harmony for the country.

Danmodi, who was represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on PWDs, Habibu Murtala Taura assured the PWDs of relief as new policies and programmes that will improve their fortunes will be unveiled by his administration if elected into office as governor of the  state.

KADUNA

CAN disowns letter, challenges police on

investigation

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter has disowned a purported letter trending on social media, alleging the body’s partisanship in the Saturday’s governorship and state assembly polls.

The Christian body, which urged the Nigerian Police Force to probe the source of the letter, said the purported letter must have been the handiwork of desperate politicians, who wanted to smear the image of CAN.

CAN’s chairman, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said the body had since reported the fake letter to the police, urging it to investigate and bring those behind the letter to book.

Ogun

Teachers endorse

Abiodun

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and members of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Ogun State, have thrown their weight behind the re-election bid of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Speaking at an interactive session with the governor at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Akinola Abiodun, expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the government at repositioning the education sector for greater performance.

“Your government has taken education to greater heights. We are not partisan, but we are 100 per cent behind you as our employer. We will support and work for your return.

“We will go from house to house and be your canvassers because you are a silent achiever whose achievements will remain indelible for a long time”, he said.

Also, the President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Ogun State Chapter, Mr. Adekunle Osibemiwo, called for the harmonisation of taxes paid by school proprietors, as well as appointment of a person with disability to head the Special Education department in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. He pledged to support the Governor’s re-election bid.

Replying, Governor Dapo Abiodun, said: “Without your cooperation, it would have been impossible to achieve the much that we have achieved.

“We will look into the multi taxation issue and harmonize it. I will also appoint a Special Assistant to oversee that Special Education Office in the Ministry of Education”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the state, has accused Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of denying it the opportunity of Saturday’s elections due to insufficient provision of polling tags for its agents across the state.

SDP Chairman Mr. Yinka Williams, made the allegation yesterday while briefing reporters at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta.

Willaims said that the party had written a letter to INEC over the issue, adding, however, that there had not been any response from the commission up till date.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state, Mr.  Niyi Ijalaye, told NAN that the fault was from the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ijalaye, who said that SDP was not the only political parties affected by the situation, added that the commission had to ration the available tags among the parties.

He, however, assured all the political parties that the matter would be addressed before the March 11 election.

AKWA IBOM

Supreme Court okays Udofia as APC

governorship candidate

The Supreme Court has upheld the nomination of Akan Udofia as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State for the March 11 elections.

The court rejected the arguments by the appellant, a former presidential aide, Senator Ita Enang, that Udofia was not an APC member as at May 27, last year when the party conducted its governorship primary.

Enang had, in his appeal, prayed the court to, among others, declare him the governorship candidate of the APC in Akwa Ibom State.

In a judgment yesterday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, was unanimous in holding that Udofia was a member of the APC when the party held the primary election.

The court said a political party has the prerogative to grant anyone membership waivers.

It affirmed the earlier judgment by the Court of Appeal, Abuja which recognised Udofia as the actual candidate of the APC.

RIVERS

Rivers APC collapses structure to support  PDP

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has praised the decision of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state to collapse its structure into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of  Saturday’s elections.

He said the development would boost   the electoral fortune of the PDP.

Wike spoke at a brief reception in Ehuda Town in Ahoada East Local Government Area, where Mr. Eric Apia,  denounced his membership of the APC.

Apia, until his defection to the PDP, was the leader of APC in Ahoada East Local Government Area and the party’s House of Representatives candidate for the National Assembly election that was held on  February 25.

LAGOS

Ikuforiji, Arewa community, physically challenged endorse Sanwo-Olu

Former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji has urged Lagosians to vote for Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu because “the governor deserves the support of all and sundry to complete his good work”.

Speaking to members of the party in Epe , Ikuforiji said that the governor deserves to be re-elected going by his performance in the last three and half years.

He said Sanwo-Olu has proved in the last four years that he possesses the administrative capability to govern a complex state like Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu faces a stiffer test, after the Labour Party (LP), against all odds, defeated the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos during the penultimate weekend’s presidential election.

It was the second time in Nigeria’s history – after Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 – that a victorious presidential flag bearer will be suffering a home defeat.

However, Ikuforiji, who said he did not foresee any major upset this weekend, said Sanwo-Olu has done enough to retain the seat of power in the state based on his people-centric projects across the state.

Ikuforiji said: “Sanwo-Olu has consistently focused on bringing governance closer to Lagosians. He has done enough in the last three and a half years to engender socio-economic development in Lagos. Lagosians can only appreciate what he has done by voting him in for a second term this weekend.

“Apart from being a hardworking public official, the governor has demonstrated in many ways that he is a servant of the people. We should focus on the numerous projects that he has successfully completed across the state.

“A good example is the Blue Rail project that he has been working on as well as the complete transformation of the health and agricultural sectors. Our schools in Lagos State have also been positively transformed by the governor. No part of the state has been left behind by Sanwo-Olu.

“So, I think by these achievements, it’s only appropriate for us to queue behind him so that he can continue his good work.”

Also yesterday, physically challenged persons living in Epe, Lagos State,  reiterated their support for Sanwo-Olu’s second term, saying the governor has performed well in his first term.

They expressed their readiness to vote for the governor once again on Saturday during separate interactions with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Epe under the aegis of a coalition of several groups.

The leader of the groups, Mr Waheed Ismail, said that the sterling performance of the governor in his first term could not be over-emphasised. He said: “I and my colleagues voted during the recent presidential and National Assembly elections and we are ready to vote for our performing Governor Sanwo-Olu in the forthcoming governorship and House of Assembly elections.

“We all witnessed the socioeconomic impacts of this present administration and we want the good work to continue.”

Another physically challenged, Miss Adejoke Ajenifuja, said that other members across the nation would join in exercising their franchise in the nationwide governorship election on Saturday. She added that in Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu was the best governorship candidate compared to the others.

She added: “We have discussed with other physically challenged groups in Lagos State to support Governor Sanwo-Olu’s re-election. Sanwo-Olu is our preferred candidate for the seat and we are ready to vote en masse for him.

“We have our members in large numbers across Lagos state, therefore, with our support and votes, Sanwo-Olu will emerge victorious.”

Northerners living in Lagos have also endorsed  Sanwo-Olu for a second term. This, according to them, followed his numerous achievements.

Alhaji Musa Saidu, the Chairman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Coexistence in Southern Nigeria, made the remark when he spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria yesterday in Abuja.

He said: “Sanwo-Olu has been a friend to all Nigerians resident in Lagos State. He has also demonstrated great love for our people from the North and he has assisted some of them in their growing their businesses in Lagos. He is indeed a great friend of our people.

“Therefore, we enjoin all people from the North resident in Lagos to come out and to vote for him on Saturday.”

Saidu said that the community has also endorsed Chief Dumo Lulu, the Rivers governorship candidate of the Accord Party as its preferred candidate for Saturday’s governorship election.

He said the decision was taken at the community’s emergency meeting in Port Harcourt. Rivers State.

Plateau

APC tackles PDP

over claim

Following the success recorded by the Labour (LP) in the penultimate weekend’s presidential election, Saturday’s governorship and state House of Assembly elections is expected to be a tough battle among the three leading political parties on the Plateau. Aside from the LP, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the former ruling party, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) are equally in a good position to win.

Ahead of the contest, the APC has fired a warning to the PDP to stop basking in the euphoria that it can win the election. What the APC has going for it ahead of the election is the fact that it is still the occupant of the Government House.

The ruling party is trying to capitalise on emergence of its candidate as president-elect. It has urged PDP to get ready to accept defeat.  This was contained in a statement by APC Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang, who indicated it will not be in their interest to be in the opposition, while progressives control the Federal Government with Bola Tinubu as president-elect.

Namang condemned statements attributed to PDP, where the party hoped it would be win in the governorship election. He described the former ruling party as “desperate and shameless”.

He said: “APC Plateau State has just come across a statement by desperate and shameless PDP in the state where it is putting hopes on winning Saturday elections.

“… this is a delusional hope as PDP is only raising false hopes to its hapless and rudderless followers. The indicators are pointing to the direction of a resounding defeat of this family and the clannish party whose hope is based on what its ‘Dara’ sole administrator says.

“We are not unaware PDP is hoping to re-enact its tripod feud and vent its anger on its singlehandedly imposed candidate who the retired general and former senator and a former governor from the southern zone and a former minister of Sports and a two-term member of House of Representatives from the northern zone would not touch with a 10-metre pole.”

Benue

APC candidate drums support for Sule’s re-election in Nasarawa

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Rev Father Hycient Iormen Alia has appealed to the Tiv indigenes in Nasarawa State to vote for Governor Abdullahi Sule in Saturday’s governorship and the House of Assembly elections.

The APC candidate, a Catholic priest who led a delegation of Benue prominent Tiv sons and daughters to Nasarawa State told the Tiv indigenes that when both of them are elected, they will collaborate to end insecurity between the Benue and Nasarawa border.

He said: “I’m here for a special political request for Tiv people in Nasarawa State to vote for Governor Abdullahi Sule so that when I become governor of Benue State, we can put heads together to resolve the insecurity problem along the border area.

“If you go through my plan for Benue State, security is top on the agenda. I realise that insecurity persists because of one man who we can no longer accommodate, one man who we can no longer allow to destroy the long-standing relationship between Nasarawa and Benue, and one who is no longer with any name to associate with.”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is making an arrangement to confer on President Muhammadu Buhari an award in recognition of his achievements in the defence and promotion of democracy as a system of government throughout the sub-region.

The Chairman of the ECOWAS, who is also the President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, announced this during a bilateral meeting with President Buhari on the sidelines of the ongoing Fifth United Nations Conference on Least Developed Countries in Doha, the Qatari capital.

The ECOWAS’ plan was announced to the Nigerian media in a statement by Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, yesterday in Abuja.

President Embalo said President Buhari had done more than any other leader to support democratic governments in West Africa, as he has been waging battles against the resurgence of non-democratic regimes in the sub-region.

For this, said the ECOWAS Chairman, President Buhari will have his name on the Roll of Honour in the community’s new headquarters building upon its completion in Abuja so that future generations of West African citizens will know about the greatness he achieved and to copy his laudable examples.

President Buhari welcomed the proposition, saying democracy is the best pathway to bringing together diverse people and a dependable vehicle for the achievement of national development.

The Federal Government blocked not less than 200 cyber attacks during last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, stated this on Tuesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two- day ministerial training for board members and management staff of the agency in Abuja.

Abubakar said the attacks continued after the elections.

He said the training with the theme: ‘Positioning the GBB team for effective management and leadership in the 4th industrial revolution’ was meant to update the skills of the selected officials.

“On the election day alone, we were able to block more than 200 attacks and the next day, the attacks geometrically increased to about 1.2 million and all were blocked from our own businesses,” Abubakar said.

The Managing Director said a business continuity and cyberspace protection committee had been formed to guard and regulate digital activities while optimising the GBB’s technical services.

Abubakar said that the training was aimed at reviewing the agency’s performance while initiating alternative means of revenue generation.

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, said the training was aimed at evaluating and recalibrating Galaxy Backbone Limited in regards to management and leadership for optimal outputs.

Pantami, who served as the training facilitator, applauded GBB’s approach to digital infrastructural development while saving cost of goveranance.