Category: Featured

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami says he has accepted calls from Kebbi people to run for the governor.

He will be running on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Malami made the acceptance in Birnin Kebbi yesterday at an interactive session with APC stakeholders in the state.

“Since you want me to contest governorship position of the state, I hereby accept your demand since you want me to do so.

“People from the state have been pressurising me to contest the governorship position in 2023.

“Going by my proper upbringing as son of an Islamic teacher, I will not show interest to contest for any position or judge myself qualified for any position except the people of the state want me to.

“I have contributed a lot to the country and also to the state in areas of employment generation, fight against poverty, agricultural revolution and women empowerment,’’ he said.

“We pray for Allah’s guidance and assistance and may the answer to your demands be the continuous development of the state,’’ he said.

Governor Atiku Bagudu urged party leaders not to relent in pursuing a resolution to bring aggrieved members back into the APC fold.

He called on the youth to emulate the humility of Malami as a son of Islamic teacher.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday began the screening of governorship aspirants for next year’s elections.

Mixed reaction by contestants trailed the process across the six geo-political zones.

Southwest:

Eleven aspirants from Oyo, Lagos and Ogun states appeared before the PDP screening panel at the Zonal Office, Ibadan.

The committee is headed by Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

Ogun aspirants are Segun Sowunmi, Ladi Adebutu and Jimi Lawal.

Governor Seyi Makinde and Hazeem Gbolarumi are from Oyo State.

Lagos aspirants are Shamsideen Dosumu, AbdulAzeez Adediran, David Kolawole, Jimi Karmal, Adedeji Doherty and Rhodes Gbadebo.

37 aspirants in Southeast

Former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was among the 37 aspirants from Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states at the party’s zonal office for the process in Enugu.

Aspirants from Ebonyi are: Fide Nwankwo; Chris Usulor; Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii (Anyichuks); Igwe Nwagu and Anayo Edwin.

Others are Chukwuma Nwazunku; Augustine Nwazunku; Sylvester Ogbaga; Emmanuel Eze; Anayo Edwin and Obinna Ogba

Abia aspirants include Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Nnanna Nwafor; Don Lulu; Senator Emma Nwaka and former VC ABSU, Prof. Uchenna Ikonne, who is said to be Ikpeazu’s anointed candidate.

Others from Abia include Chima Anyaso, Ude Oko Chukwu, Lucky Igbokwe; Hon. Samson Orji; Chief Ncheta Omerekpe and Engr Nana Nwafor.

Enugu aspirants are Ekweremadu; Denge Joseph Onoh; Chinyeaka Ohaa, Barth Nnaji, Dr. Gabriel Ajah and Prof. Hilary Edeoga.

Others are Chijioke Edeoga, Peter Mba, Senator Gil Nnaji; Capt Evarest Nnaji; Beloved Dan Anike; Rev. Raph Nwoye; Chief Chikwado Chukwunta; Dr. Kingsley Udeh and Barr. Nwabueze Ugwu.

Some of the screened aspirants commended the screening committee for transparency.

Ike Ekweremadu rated the exercise high, saying: “Today, the PDP is holding the screening exercise of its gubernatorial aspirants in the South East and all over the country, zone by zone. In the South East, the exercise is taking place in Enugu and it is an important step in the party’s preparations for the 2023 general election.

“But, because there is no governorship election coming up in 2023 in Imo State where there is already an All Progressives Congress (APC) in place and Anambra where an All Progressives Grand Alliance Government (APGA) government was recently installed, based on an off-season election, the screening in the Southeast is only holding for Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi aspirants.

“So, I have gone to meet with the panel and I have been successfully screened. It was quite smooth and the people were quite friendly and courteous. The system is perfect and we hope that the exercise will continue to be smooth as I met it.

“I want to thank the officials of the PDP in Enugu State and the Southeast for a job well done so far”, he stated.

Abaribe said the exercise is credible.

“I am impressed with what I have just passed through. It does show how remarkably improved PDP has become in its process.

“The people know who their champions are. We have all it takes and we have been screened.”

For Obinna Ogba, who wants to succeed Governor Dave Umahi in Ebonyi State, the party’s process has immensely improved.

Southsouth

Tight security in Port Harcourt screening centre

There was security beef up at the zonal secretariat in Port Harcourt, following the commencement of the exercise.

Aspirants from Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Cross River, and Edo states turned up for the exercise.

Security operatives mounted surveillance at the entrance.

Rivers State aspirants at the screening included the former state chairman of the PDP, Felix Obuah, Senator Lee Maeba, former Transport Minister, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, and David Briggs.

There was drama, following the arrest of a House of Representatives member, Dr. Farah Dagogo, by the police.

Police stormed the venue and whisked away Dagogo, who is one of the governorship aspirants.

Dagogo was on Wednesday declared wanted by Governor Nyesom Wike, who accused him of sponsoring cultists who attacked the PDP secretariat.

The governor, in the statement, directed the police to arrest Dagogo, who immediately denied the allegations and vowed to attend the screening exercise.

Northwest

Sokoto State Deputy Governor Muhammad Manir Dan Iya lauded what he described as an orderly exercise.

He spoke in Abuja  after he was screened by the Northwest Gubernatorial Screening Committee at the Sokoto State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro.

The committee was headed by Amb. Oluwateru Omolade. Other members are Baba Kassim (Secretary), Mohammed Mabo, Dr. Ibrahim Umar, Mulikat Adeola Akande, Hajiya Hauwa Musa Kida and Barr. Mustapha Shittu.

He promised to focus on building on the achievement of his boss, thanking Governor Aminu Tambuwal for providing a level playing ground for the six contenders.

“I promise to strengthen and give more emphasis on mineral resources exploration to boost the state revenue so as to enhance better welfare for the people of the state. This will encourage more beneficial schemes as people-oriented government.”

Northeast

PDP screens Fintiri, Bauchi SSG, others

Aspirants from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe appeared before the screening committee.

However, the Secretary to the Bauchi State government, Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, who made a sudden appearance at the venue to be screened, said he would consolidate on Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed’s achievement in the last 3 years.

But, it could not be ascertained whether the SSG had tendered his resignation letter.

Until yesterday, only the eldest son of former Governor Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu had indicated interest to contest the 2023 governorship election, while Kashim did not publicly declare an interest.

Ahmed Ahmadu Mu’azu had purchased the PDP nomination form since the governor is now contesting for the Presidential seat, but he was not present at the screening.

A clearance certificate was given to Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, who is seeking a second term in office. He commended the committee for a hitch-free exercise while calling for unity of purpose in the party.

Other PDP aspirants are Aminu Ayuba, Joseph Albasu Kunin (TarabKunine) Dr. Babayo Ardo Kumo, Gombe: Jamulu wanna Ishiaku and Dr. Ali Tikau Adamu (Yobe).

By Yusuf Alli and Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 cannot stand, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) told a court yesterday.

They insisted that the section contravenes constitutional provisions and ought to be voided.

President Buhari faulted a claim by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he directed the National Assembly to delete Section 84(12).

He said, being conscious of the democratic principle of separation of powers, he merely expressed reservations about the provision.

He and the AGF argued that the constitutionality or otherwise of the provision has been settled by the March 18, 2022 judgment of Justice Evelyn Ayandike of the Federal High Court, Umuahia.

They noted that the section could only be restored by a decision of the Court of Appeal.

President Buhari and Malami’s position is contained in a joint counter-affidavit they filed in the suit numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/247/2022 by the PDP.

The party seeks to restrain the National Assembly from deleting the clause as allegedly directed by the President.

The President and the AGF argued that the section “prejudices and impedes the constitutional rights of most Nigerians to participate in the electoral processes or primaries of their political parties and freely choose their preferred leaders/ candidates who are aspirants/political appointees in public service and deny the aspirants/political appointees in public service the right to vote or be voted for in the electoral process of the parties.”

In a notice of preliminary objection filed along with the joint counter affidavit by their legal team, including Oladipo Okpeseyi (SAN) and Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), President Buhari and Malami faulted the competence of the suit and urged the court to decline jurisdiction to hear it.

Listed with President Buhari and the AGF as defendants are the Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, the Clerk to the National Assembly, the Senate Leader, the House Leader and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Others are the Deputy Senate President, the Deputy Speaker, the Deputy Senate Leader, the Deputy House Leader and the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM).

President Buhari and Malami said: “The first defendant (Buhari) assented to the Electoral Bill 2022 on February 25, 2022, but did not give condition or directives to the National Assembly in the manner erroneously deposed to by the plaintiff or in any other manner that is inconsistent with the autonomy and independence of the National Assembly.

“At no time did the first defendant give any directive to the management or leadership of the third to seventh defendants and the ninth to 12th defendants as regards removal of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 from the Act.

“Prior to assenting to the Electoral Bill 2022, the first defendant merely expressed his observation and concerns about the constraints of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Bill, 2022 on serving public office holders/political appointees but gave his assent, to avoid further delay, as time was of the essence.”

The President recalled that on March 8, he officially wrote to the National Assembly leadership to express his concerns about the section and formally requested for its amendment “to eliminate areas of infractions with the Constitution”.

President Buhari and Malami said they “truly and firmly believe that Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act 2022 disenfranchises and discriminates against Nigerians in public service or public office holders, who are political appointees and prevents them from engaging in the electoral processes in exercise of their inalienable rights in a participatory democracy”.

Besides, they said it was in conflicts with what is “already elaborately provided for by the extant Constitution”.

They added that they had never taken it upon themselves to declare Section 84(12) or any provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 unconstitutional, as such a declaration was beyond their constitutional powers.

“The first and second defendants do not meddle or interfere with the functions of the Judiciary as the interpreter and guardian of the Constitution.

“Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 is inconsistent with Sections 1(3), 42, 65, 66 particularly sections 66 (1) (f), 106 and 107 of the Constitution.

“The invalidation by this court of Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act, 2022 will not adversely affect the aims and objectives of the plaintiff or of any other political party of promoting internal democracy of political parties in Nigeria.

“The settled provision of Nigerian law with respect to office holders and political appointees is that such person employed in the public service shall resign from such employment 30 days before the date of election,” the first and second defendants added.

Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned till May 16 for definite hearing.

APC drops guideline on resignation 

Also yesterday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) amended a section in its guidelines for primaries on resignation of political office holders.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) decided to leave the fate of political office holders, including ministers, commissioners and other appointees, to the court.

The amendment was also said to be in line with President Buhari’s opposition to Section 84(12).

Investigation revealed that Section 3(i) of the APC’s final guidelines for the conduct of primaries had caused uproar in the party.

The section says: “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for the purpose of the nomination of candidates.

“Any political office holder interested in contesting for an elective office shall leave office 30 days prior to the date of election or party primary for the office sought.”

Some ministers, who are interested in presidential and governorship offices, have not been comfortable with the disputed section.

A top source said: “There has been a row in the party over the section because members felt that it will disenfranchise some aspirants.

“Some of our leaders claimed that 1999 Constitution only mandates a candidate (not aspirant) to resign one month before contesting for any elective office.

“Based on cogent reasons and the need for fairness, the NWC has dropped the guideline on resignation because it is at variance with 84 (12) of the Electoral Act which is silent on timeline for resignation. The Act is not specific on the time politically appointed persons are expected to resign before primary elections.

“As NWC, we cannot issue guidelines outside the law of the land. Doing so will amount to laying the foundation for a fresh crisis in APC.

“A new one will be released. With this development, all the aspirants will not be allowed to resign before participating in primaries at any level.”

Responding to a question, another source added: “I think the NWC has decided to align the guidelines with the position of President Muhammadu Buhari on Section 84(12) of the Electoral Act.

“Buhari made his reservations known to the National Assembly before and after assenting to the Act but the lawmakers were adamant and refused to keep to the gentleman’s agreement.

“As it is now, only the court can decide the fate of ministers, commissioners and other political parties who have refused to resign before the primaries.

“The party will leave the court to take a final decision.”

Findings, however, revealed that some party members were uncomfortable that the NWC was changing the guidelines at the last minutes.

“I think the new leadership does not want to offend some influential leaders of the party.

“This is a litmus test for them since the powers of the National Executive Committee (NEC) have been transferred to NWC.”

The National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Felix Morka, was yet to respond to our correspondent’s text message as at the time of filing this report.

The Federal Government has declared Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May, 2022 as public holidays to mark workers day and EIdul-Fitr celebrations.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

He congratulated workers across the country on this year’s celebration.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore said Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice.

The Minister said their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

According to the Minister, “Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working.”

Aregbesola enjoined workers to imbibe the culture of productivity.

He said: “The end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is therefore the path to national and individual prosperity”

He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration’s drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all the people of Nigeria derive maximum benefit from the nation.

The Minister also congratulated all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Aregbesola called on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

“The self-restrain, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper,” the Minister noted.

He expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all round.