Category: Lead

The immediate past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, has defended her judicial integrity following a comment by her husband, former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, that he obtained favours from from her on behalf of his fellow senators.

Justice Bulkachuwa said she never, in her 40-year judicial career, compromised her oath of office.

The former PCA bowed out of the Bench in March 2020 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

But the spotlight was cast on her tenure last Tuesday following the release of a video clip showing her husband making comments many interpreted as evidence of his interference in her performance of her duties as head of the country’s second highest court and possibly influencing her judicial decisions.

But repudiating the interpretation of judicial compromise on her part, Justice Bulkachuwa, in a statement dated June 17, said such insinuation was far from the truth.

Read Also: I didn’t influence my wife’s decisions as judge – Bulkachuwa

The former PCA said: “My attention has been drawn to the trending video of what was said by my husband Senator Adamu M. Bulkachuwa.

“I want to state categorically that I never at any time compromised my oath of office to favour any party who appeared before me throughout my judicial career spanning 40 years of service to my country.

“My decisions were always based on the facts, the law and in accordance with my conscience and oath of office.

“Also, as President of the Court of Appeal, my fellow justices of the court can attest to the fact that I never interfered with the independence of any of the justices of the court in the discharge of their judicial functions.”

In March 2020, the former PCA told The Nation and other journalists during a valedictory service in her honour in Lagos, that she kept her husband’s politics and political career out of her home.

She said that helped her to guard against being influenced by politicians.

Justice Bulkachuwa said: “My husband is a politician, but politics is a no-go area in the house. Even my children are aware of that. No politician is invited to the house. My husband can pursue whatever he wants to pursue as a politician but we hardly discuss politics in the house. All these help to guard against any influence from any politician.”

Senator Bulkachuwa in an interview with The BBC Hausa Service on June 17, denied using his wife to influence court cases.

The former lawmaker, who has been facing calls by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), senior lawyers and other stakeholders for his arrest and probe, blamed the then Senate President Ahmed Lawan for not allowing him to complete his comments.

Ex-Senator Bulkachuwa, in the video clip which surfaced last Tuesday, spoke during the valedictory session of the ninth senate.

He claimed that he encroached on his wife’s “freedom and independence” in the course of her official duties as head of the second highest judicial office in Nigeria.

According to him, she did not rebuff him.

Bulkachuwa said: “Particularly my wife whose freedom and independence were encroached upon when she was in office. She has been tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended it to my colleagues…”

But he was interrupted and dissuaded from continuing by outgone Senate President Ahmed Lawan.

Senator Bulkachuwa was elected to represent Bauchi North in 2019.

Apex Igbo sociocultural group, the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, has expressed concern over high level of propaganda and fake news by some persons following the notice of demolition of some distressed buildings in the Alaba International Market in Ojo Local Government of Lagos State, dominated by Igbo traders.

Following the commencement of the process toward removal of the distressed buildings by the Lagos State Government, some publications started circulating on social media alleging that the decision was to victimise the Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos.

But reacting to the publications on Sunday, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, urged the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm, cautioning that propaganda and fake news were not necessary for them at this point.

He stated that his investigations revealed that the publications and statements were fake news and propaganda meant to raise tensions and cause disaffection between the Igbo and their Lagos hosts.

According to Iwuanyanwu, reliable information available to him showed that the State Government’s directive was not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road.

Iwuanyanwu, whose feelings were
made in a statement by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia on Sunday in Enugu, said: “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has been drawn to several fake publications circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State Government to take actions to victimize the Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos.

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“Since the disturbing news broke out, we have made investigations in order to establish the true state of affairs. One of the reliable sources, Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council and President Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association, stated that “the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some water ways”.

“Ukatu added: “All that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by the state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided water ways.

“Ukatu added that the directive is “not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road”.

“Ukatu enjoins all and sundry to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the internet and admonished that such propaganda is not necessary for the Igbo at this time”.

“Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo stated: “The truth is that, some structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons.

“According to Okolo, “the owners of the affected structures have since been notified, for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be effected, corrupt government officials would get compromised, and the flooding challenge continues, until this time”.

“Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain, resident in Lagos, has also validated the above position”.

Iwuanyanwu, who expressed concern over the lingering problems in Lagos, urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties.

• Monument, malls, residential buildings, others affected
• Two dead, others injured during demolition exercise

Tension rose yesterday in Salanta quarters of Kano metropolis as residents  sought to resist the demolition squad sent to the area by the  state government in continuation of the pulling down of alleged illegal structures.

Properties estimated at N126 billion have been leveled since the commencement of the exercise on June 3,according to an investigation by The Nation.

They include a  three storey plaza consisting of over 90 shops on the Race Course, Nasarawa GRA, worth over N100 billion and the almost completed 90-room Five-Star Daula Boutique Hotel costing  over N10 billion.

Thousands of people have been displaced on account of the demolition and more structures are billed for flattening  as sanction for  what the government  called encroachment on public land.

The government yesterday confirmed the death of  two persons it described as scavengers in the aftermath of the demolition.

It commiserated with the bereaved families but warned  scavengers to keep away from demolished structures, warning that scavenging on  the sites of the demolished structures across the state is not only criminal, but dangerous to human safety.

Governor Abba Yusuf gave the go ahead for the exercise six days after his assumption of power. He had accused his predecessor, Abdullahi Ganduje of giving out public land to private individuals.

Ganduje dismissed the allegation and said some of the structures were  approved by his executive council as  Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects.

The government’s bulldozers first rolled over the Kano Race Course where  the  three storey plaza consisting of 90 shops  was reduced to rubble.

The governor then ordered developers in  the Hajj Camp area to stop construction.

But as soon as the  night fell, the bulldozers roared back into action, leveling all buildings there.

Also demolished were the 90 per cent completed Five-Star Daula Boutique Hotel and the N160 million Golden Monument, which the government said it pulled down because it carried the cross in a state with a large Muslim population.

But the demolition took a twist yesterday when residents of Salanta Quarters sought to physically stop the demolition of their buildings by the government task force allegedly without prior notice and compensation.

They claimed to have followed due process in buying the land from the Ganduje administration.

One of the residents who appeared to be injured during the pushing and shoving that ensued between them and the demolition squad was seen on video calling for help from someone by phone.

Another one was heard  saying:“You cannot demolish our properties overnight without prior notification  when we have all our documents intact. We all have our families here, and this is injustice. They have voted calamity for us.

“They have demolished our shops in the market, and now they have returned to our residences without any compensation. We will die here, and if you demolish this house, it will (be a curse on) your life.”

Some others  chanted  Allahu Akbar! (God is the greatest) and vowed to protect their properties from demolition.

Lamash Properties Limited, the developer of the properties on the old Daula Hotel land, has gone to court ,seeking a compensation of N10billion from the state government.

It described the demolition of its properties  as a “flagrant disregard for globally acceptable principle of fair hearing.”

Lamash, in a statement by its  Director of Sales, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar,said it  was invited by the State government alongside other companies in 2020 to bid for the redevelopment of the old Daula Hotel under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

His words:“We submitted a bid of three components:

* Residential – to comprise 25 luxury apartments

* Commercial Hub – Various sizes of lettable commercial space

* Daula Boutique Hotel – A 90-room five star hotel

“Our bid, like every other bid submitted, went through all the processes including going before the State Executive Council after which we won the bid. We were issued the letter of award and we signed a PPP contract agreement with the Kano state government after which we began work on the project.

Lamash Properties Limited, the developer of the properties on the old Daula Hotel land, has gone to court, seeking a compensation of N10billion from the state government.

It described the demolition of its properties as a “flagrant disregard for globally acceptable principle of fair hearing.”

Lamash, in a statement by its Director of Sales, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, said it was invited by the State government alongside other companies in 2020 to bid for the redevelopment of the old Daula Hotel under a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

His words: “We submitted a bid of three components:

* Residential – to comprise 25 luxury apartments

* Commercial Hub – Various sizes of lettable commercial space

* Daula Boutique Hotel – A 90-room five star hotel

“Our bid, like every other bid submitted, went through all the processes including going before the State Executive Council after which we won the bid. We were issued the letter of award and we signed a PPP contract agreement with the Kano state government after which we began work on the project.

“The value of the land being the equity contribution of the Kano State government into the project plus the agreed profit share of the state government all in the sum of Two Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety Seven Million, Sixteen Thousand Six Hundred and Twenty Two Naira, Eighty Nine Kobo (N2,297,016,622.89) only was converted into the hotel and its ownership was given to the Kano State government as its share of the project under the PPP arrangement.

“On May 27, 2023, the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, performed the commissioning ceremony of the hotel and it was handed over to the state government as its share in the project.

Read Also: New governors groan under heavy debts

“To our utmost surprise, we received a call around 2am on Sunday June 4, 2023 that officials of the state government led by the new governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had mobilized to the site of the project with bulldozers and were tearing down all the buildings on the land including the already completed 90-room 5-star Daula Boutique Hotel, the 90% completed commercial area (malls) as well as the ongoing residential apartments.

“We wish to put it on record that at no point did the state government or any of its officials notify us or invite us for clarification on the project.

“We have made it clear on several occasions that we did not purchase the supposed land but that it was made available to us to provide facilities, one of which was the Daula Boutique Hotel which formed the equity of the state government in the project. This action of the state government is a minus and a negative development which will scare away other potential investors willing to invest in the state.

“We have instructed our legal team to institute legal actions against the state government to claim compensation to the tune of N10billion already invested in the project and to stop the state government from further taking actions that will negatively affect us based on the PPP contract agreement we signed with it. We are resolute in seeking redress in the court of law and we are optimistic that justice would be served.”

But it was the demolition of the Golden Monument that has attracted the most criticism. The monument was constructed at a cost of N160 million by the Ganduje administration in 2017 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.

The project was the brain child of the sub-committee on monuments and endorsed by the main committee of 51 prominent Kanawas led by the late Prof. Umar with the then deputy governor of Kano state, Prof. Hafiz Abubakar as co-chairman.

 The unique cultural edifice, which was built strategically at the roundabout in front of Government House, Kano, was engraved in traditional models with artistic works depicting Hausa cultural heritage.

Hajiya Kaltume Gana,prominent  artist who designed the monument says the demolition has left her deeply sad and heartbroken.

“I am very sad and displeased by the demolition of this monument which has become the symbol of Kano. In fact, it is the face of Kano; the people keep appreciating its tourism essence,” she said.

The design, according to her, embedded cultural and traditional arts and crafts inherent in Kano as well as local patterns unique to Kanawas (Kano people).

Hajiya Kaltume Gana, Curator of the National Art Gallery in Kano, whose works have been exhibited in Washington DC, United States, Vienna in Austria, as well as in London and some African cities, could not fathom what informed the decision to destroy the Golden Monument, saying “we must all condemn this thoughtless decision.”

Journalist and public analyst, Jaafar Jaafar was similarly shocked.

He said: “We must all condemn this thoughtless decision to demolish this monument, designed by a young female architect to commemorate Kano’s Golden Jubilee.

“I support the ongoing demolishing of private buildings in schools, hospitals and mosques, but not wanton destruction of public monuments/buildings, simply because they were built by Ganduje.

“I do not like the politician in Ganduje but I like some of his projects as a governor,” Jaafar wrote on his Facebook wall.

Adams Jerry, a journalist and developer, accused the governor of pursuing a bitter political vendetta against former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, while injuring the innocent people of Kano State. He said: “The ongoing demolition in Kano State is totally wrong and unacceptable. People should look beyond just Ganduje and what have you; for this is pure vendetta against the former governor and to the innocent citizens of Kano who bought and developed those places.”

Some of the affected persons are seeking redress in court, while the helpless ones have taken to the social media to lampoon Yusuf over his actions.

A resident, Nasiru Umar, advised the governor to stop the demolition, or risk a second term.

He said: “Governor Abba should learn not to throw the baby and the bath water in the name of a proxy war. Now that he is the governor, he must see things objectively, otherwise he will crash land before 2027.”

Calamity has befallen Kano -APC:

The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) branded the demolition barbaric and a calamity.

The state APC Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Maigari, told reporters in Kano that the new NNPP-led administration had gone too far in its action.

“This barbaric and wanton destruction of the people’s means of livelihood by the state government calls for serious prayers by all well-meaning persons, as the people are now counting their losses in billions of naira,” Maigari said.

According to him, the demolition has paralysed and brought to a standstill, commercial activities at the Kantin Kwari and Kofar Wambai markets, among other business centres in the ancient city.

Read Also: ‘New govt’s bold moves will favour businesses’

“We call on all those affected to maintain calmness and explore all legal means to protect their properties and seek legal redress for the damages done and the losses incurred,” the APC deputy chairman said and urged security agencies in the state to “step up action that will restore the people’s confidence in the light of the shock and calamity that has befallen the state.”

Ganduje commiserates with victims of demolition:

Ganduje has commiserated with the victims of the demolished Daula Hotel building.

The former governor in a statement through his Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Malam Muhammad Garba, described the incident and the attendant death and injuries as a huge loss to the state.

He prayed for quick recovery for the injured and for God to give the family of the dead victims the fortitude to bear the loss.

Ganduje expressed regrets over the “theft of properties by looters” from several demolished buildings in different parts of the state capital.

The former governor has also commiserated with property owners who legally acquired and developed their properties for business and other purposes but were destroyed by the NNPP government in the state without any form of investigation.

Govt confirms two deaths; commiserates with families of victims

The state government has also commiserated with families of scavengers who were killed or injured at the sites of the demolished Daula Hotel and other structures at the Eid ground,

Debris from demolished structures at the two sites crushed two persons to death and left several others injured.

Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Abdullahi Baffa Bichi described the victims as scavengers.

He warned scavengers to keep away from demolished structures.

He said: “The attention of Kano State Government has been drawn to the activities of scavengers at the sites of the illegal structures demolished by the Special Taskforce, especially at the former Daula Hotel and Eid praying ground.

“The activities led to accidents on both locations that regrettably involved the loss of two lives.

“We commiserate with the families of the deceased and wish the injured ones rapid recovery.

“It has also been reported that more than 100 such scavengers have been arrested by the security agencies.

“We commend the efforts of law enforcement agencies, especially the Nigeria Police and National Security and Civil Defence Corps for protecting these sites and for their vigilance in ensuring the protection of lives and properties at, and around the sites.

“Government is further appealing to these agencies to redouble their efforts in the fight against crime while at the same time preventing access to the demolished illegal structures by scavengers.

“We equally appeal to parents, community leaders and religious leaders to continue to guide our teeming youth in channeling their energies into productive ventures.

“We wish to assure the general public that the demolition of illegal structures in our schools, places of worship, hospitals, city walls (badala), graveyards and all other public lands will continue in an orderly manner and will be completed in due course.”

• •Expresses concern over use of technology, social media

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, on Friday, said some Nigerians schemed to have an interim government foisted on the country during the last electioneering process.

Soyinka, 88, also expressed grave concern over the negative use of technology and social media, saying it is now in the hands of ignoramuses.

Speaking during the interactive session of his book launch titled “The Putin Files: Excursions Around The Ideology Of Pain,” held at the Freedom park, Lagos, stated that “Some people had schemed to tilt the country towards having an interim government,” adding that the tendency had been apparent even before the election”.

The Nobel laureate however noted that those who were in support were only being manipulated.

It will be recalled that the professor was an object of attack, after he criticised one of the contestants over statements he made on television, which he termed inciting and detrimental to democracy.

Interestingly, Soyinka also expressed grave concern over the negative use of technology and social media, saying it is now in the hands of ignoramuses.

He stated that the wrong usage of technology is fast taking humanity backwards due to the use of profiling and abusive words.

Read Also: I don’t know Obidients, says Soyinka

Soyinka also confessed that he is not a fan of social media, stating that: “I don’t tweet, I don’t WhatsApp. I tried WhatsApp but I stopped.”

Reading from the book, Soyinka said: “Project Nigeria, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain, but first we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers.

“In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is, of course, always the possibility of a revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors.

“Revolutions are not, however, based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensures just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”

According to him, the whole concept of democracy needs to be re-examined. “Revolution is not about lining up behind nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously an offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.”

He said Putin, as used in his book, is a metaphor and reality, adding: “We can’t be shielded from what is happening.”

He however described EndSARS as one of the most successful movements in this country because “it was based on truth.”

•Atiku’s camp uncomfortable
•Dickson’s aspiration in Senate under threat

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been thrown into a fresh quandary following  the endorsement of  Hon.Kingsley Chinda, a strong ally of former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike by the House of Representatives PDP caucus for the position of the House Minority Leader.

Chinda  emerged as the consensus candidate  of  PDP Reps during a meeting   held in Abuja on Friday.

Hon. Oluwole Oke from Osun State, believed to be the preferred candidate of the Atiku Abubakar’s camp, pulled out of the race.

The party hierarchy which is yet to forgive Wike and his allies for their non-cooperation in the run up to the February 25 presidential election,is uncomfortable with Chinda’s choice.

It had earlier  asked  the public to disregard speculations that certain persons had been picked for minority leadership positions for the 10th National Assembly.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Debo Ologunagba,  said “such rumours and reports do not represent the true position of affairs in our party and among our National Assembly members-elect.”

He added:”At the right time, the PDP together with our members in the National Assembly will speak with one voice on any issues with regard to other leadership positions in the federal legislature. The PDP therefore urges Nigerians to disregard the said rumour and reports.”

Sources said the  massive support enjoyed by Chinda  from his fellow Reps in the minority parties has presented the PDP  stakeholders a difficult matter to handle.

Read Also: VIDEO: Senate President Akpabio visits ex-Rivers Gov Wike

While some argue that the party should refuse to endorse Chinda for the position as a punishment for him and Wike for their alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 presidential election, others are of the opinion that the leadership of the party should avoid another round of crisis in view of his popularity among his colleagues.

Before Friday’s nomination of Chinda by the PDP caucus, some of the party’s members-elect had campaigned against his candidacy. Their argument was that the PDP should not reward Wike with the Minority Leader slot after he and his allies like Chinda, worked against the party and cost them the 2023 presidential election.

Some PDP members had also made a case for the South West to get the slot for equity and fairness.

The Nation gathered that PDP stakeholders  opposed to his aspiration are seeking to rally Reps from the Labour Party (LP),New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP),Social Democratic Party (SDP),Young Progressives Party (YPP) and African Democratic Party (ADC) to reject the choice of Chinda and support another candidate that the PDP leadership will put forward soon.

Sources said the PDP may settle for Hon. Fred Egbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor, Delta State) as its anointed candidate.

Egbedi, who has also shown interest in the position, is a close associate of the immediate past Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was Atiku’s running mate.

Another reason why the PDP leadership is uncertain of its next line of action regarding Chinda’s nomination is his closeness to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass. “We are politicians and we understand how the Speaker can foil any move to replace Chinda by the PDP. We recall what happened during the last 9th National Assembly when the party had preferred this same Chinda to Ndudi Elumelu,” a PDP official said.

Speaking further, the PDP chieftain confirmed that supporters of Atiku within the party are uncomfortable with the development and would prefer Chinda is stopped from taking the office. “That is politics. Given what transpired between Wike’s camp and Atiku’s, you should expect that the latter will not be comfortable with a Wike ally taking such an important position. Of course, they are not.

“In addition, generally, PDP leaders and members are scared that it will amount to encouraging anti-party activities if Chinda and Wike are allowed to get away with working against the party. It will even be worse if they are now seen to be getting important positions after working against the interests of the party severally and unrepentantly during the last elections,” he added.

Chinda’s endorsement is also said to be a threat to the ambition of former Bayelsa Governor Seriake Dickson for the position of Minority Leader in the Senate.

Dickson is a supporter of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

 The former Bayelsa State governor and the immediate past governor of Sokoto State Aminu Tambuwal are  frontrunners in the race for the Senate Minority Leader slot. 

But Tambuwal, who is also an ally of Atiku appears to have an upper hand in the race. 

Tambuwal  is a first timer in the Senate.

But he is considered a ranking member on the strength of having been  Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2011 to 2015.

On the other hand, Dickson, who represents the Bayelsa West senatorial district, is serving his second term in the Senate.

Dickson, who was also a two-term former Governor of Bayelsa State, was first elected to the Senate in 2019 and won re-election in 2023. 

However, Dickson’s chances are narrowed by the emergence of Mr Kingsley Chinda as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.

Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has expressed grave concern over the negative use of technology and social media, saying it is now in the hands of ignoramuses.

He stated the wrong usage of  technology is fast taking humanity backwards due to the use of profiling and abusive words.

Soyinka, who spoke on Friday in Lagos at the unveiling of his latest interventions volume, titled: “The Putin Files,” at Freedom Park Lagos, confessed to not being a fan of the social media.

 He said: “I don’t tweet, I don’t WhatsApp. I tried WhatsApp but I stopped.”

Read Also: Soyinka unveils The Putin Files tomorrow

Reading from the book, Soyinka said: “Project Nigeria, I must confess, has become near terminally soul-searing. Do I still believe in it? I am no longer certain, but first we must rid ourselves of the tyranny of the ignorant and the opportunism of time-servers.

“In any case, there is not much else to engage one on a foundation of ownership stakes. There is, of course, always the possibility of a revolution, with a clarity of purpose and acceptance of all attendant risks, including costly errors.

“Revolutions are not, however, based on the impetus of speculative power entitlement. No matter, until that moment, the structures that ensures just and equitable cohabitation must be protected from partisan appropriation – be it from material inducement, fake news or verbal terrorism – the last being the contribution of one who is positioned to assume co-leadership of the nation, no less.”

According to him, the whole concept of democracy needs to be re-examined. 

He added: “Revolution is not about lining up behind nearest available symbol. When a symbol does emerge, however, we are still obliged to examine every aspect of what is fortuitously an offer, and continue to guard our freedoms every inch of the way.”

 He said Putin, as used in his book, is a metaphor and reality, adding: “We can’t be shielded from what is happening.”

He however described EndSARS as one of the most successful movements in this country because it was based on truth.

• Yari, Izunaso, Umahi likely contenders
• G5 to battle PDP for minority leaders of Senate, House

he race for the remaining principal offices in the 10th National Assembly is already gathering steam, with political leaders and other stakeholders from the Southeast pushing  for one of Dr.Orji Kalu (Abia North),Chief David Umahi (Ebonyi South) and  Chief Osita Izunaso (Imo West) to be considered for the position of Senate leader.

Supporters of Alhaji AbdulAziz Yari are also making a case for him to get the position as compensation for his loss of the Senate President election to Chief Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday.

Kalu and Izunaso also showed initial interest in the office but could not go far in the face of overwhelming odds against them.

All four will have Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC – Borno South) and Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central) to contend with in the battle for the Senate Leader, according to an investigation by The Nation.

Mr. Peter Akpatason (Akoko-Edo) is being tipped for the HoR Leader position.

A source said political leaders from the Southeast are currently reaching out to the leadership of the Senate, APC leadership and other stakeholders to consider zoning the position of Senate Leader to the geo-political zone with a view to giving members of the party in the zone a sense of belonging.

It was gathered that the Southeast caucus in the Senate has already held exploratory talks with some party leaders on the matter.

“As at today (Friday), we have already taken a decision as a caucus to put the contest for the Senate presidency behind us and push for what we can get,” a source said yesterday.

“Not only that, we have also started discussing with leaders of our party and other stakeholders.

“We have similarly reached out to the Senate leadership. We are talking as a group and we are united on this.

“Our request is that the position of Senate Leader should be exclusively micro zoned to the Southeast to give APC chieftains and members in our zone the sense of belonging we have been clamouring for.

“It is bad enough that the zone lost out in the battle for the Senate presidency and the speakership. But it will be cheering news if we are considered for the Senate leadership seat,” the source, a senator from the zone, said.

The Nation also gathered that some prominent chieftains of the party have met in Abuja to discuss the possibility of backing one of Kalu and Izunaso for the position.

The meeting was attended by some serving and former senators, National Working Committee (NWC) members and other APC bigwigs from the Southeast.

“We will meet again. The reason for the meeting is to prevent a repeat of the situation where two or more of our people will be dragging the same position.

“Yes, we want to appeal to the leaderships of the Senate and APC not to again overlook the Southeast in sharing the remaining principal positions of the Senate.

“But first, we want to be able to speak with one voice about who we will push forward for the position we want,” an NWC member said.

A coalition of youth groups from the Southeast, S/East Leaders Forum (SELF), wants APC and Senators to support Kalu to emerge Senate Leader to compensate the zone for its perseverance in support of the party and President Bola Tinubu.

Dr. Daniel Okwuagu and Prince Nobert Ofulue, Convener and Secretary of the group respectively, said: “Nigeria must create room for inclusiveness, and this is the right thing to do.”

In the case of Yari, his chief backers for the Senate Leader are said to be essentially the same people who rooted for him in his failed ambition to be Senate president.

They argue that the Northwest should provide the occupier of the position, having given Tinubu more votes than any other region during the election.

They also believe that making him Senate Leader, Yari would be healed of the wounds inflicted on him and his supporters.

Those for the Southeast contend that it should get the position having failed to produce the Senate President.

A source said the APC will still have a say on which zone gets what.

The party, he said, may wade in the way it did in the race for the principal officers of the National Assembly.

The Nation also gathered yesterday that Ndume wishes to return to the position of Senate leader which he held between 2016 and January 10, 2017 when his colleagues in the APC impeached him.

He contested the position of Deputy Senate President in the 8th Senate and that of Senate President in the 9th Senate. He was the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army in the 9th Senate.

He equally signified his interest to contest the position of Senate President in the 10th Senate but later stepped down his ambition following the zoning of the position to the South-South by the APC.

He was the Director General of the Senate President Godswill Akpabio/Barau Jibrin Campaign organisation and successfully delivered the two candidates last Tuesday.

The case for Bamidele is based on the tradition that Senate Leader often comes from the President’s zone.

He was elected to represent Ekiti Central Senatorial District in the Senate in 2019 and was appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

Opeyemi equally played a pivotal role in the emergence of Akpabio as Senate President.

The minority parties – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 35 Senators, Labour Party with eight Senators, Social Democratic Party (SDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) with two senators each and All Progressives Grand Alliance and Young Progressives Party (YPP) with one Senator each – are yet to decide on how to share the minority positions in the 10th Senate.

The PDP is expected to produce the Senate Minority Leader.

Party sources said the immediate past governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and his counterpart from Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, may slug it out for the position.

The two of them belong to Atiku Abubakar who currently calls the shots in the party.

The party has, however, not zoned the position but is expected to do so in the coming days.

The zoning formula of the party and its alliance and agreement with other minority parties will likely determine who occupies the positions of deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip.

A source said the Labour Party with eight senators is strategising on how to occupy any of the minority positions.

Former Senate Minority Leader in the 9th Senate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, when contacted on the phone yesterday, said he was in his village for a reception being organised in his honour.

He said he was not aware of who and who might have been penciled down for positions.

When asked to confirm rumours of his planned defection from APGA to any of the majority parties, he said: “I am not going anywhere.”

It is strongly believed that Hon Peter Akpatason from Edo State may emerge as HoR leader if the APC zones the position to the South-South.

G5, mainstream PDP in battle royal for HoR positions

The G5 group in the PDP and the mainstream party appear to be poised for a fresh battle in the contest for minority positions in the House of Representatives.

Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) a loyalist of former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, wants to be the next Minority Leader, but he is facing opposition from Beni Lar from Plateau and Laori Komati from Adamawa.

Chinda was the Co-Chairman of the Joint Task 10th Assembly that mobilised members for election of Tajudeen Abass and Benjamin Kalu as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.

His role has not gone down well with the PDP leadership which sees him as doing the bidding of Wike.

Party sources said yesterday that his role may deny him the party’s backing in the zoning of the positions irrespective of the fact that the majority of PDP Reps recently endorsed him at a recent meeting in Abuja.

The PDP is yet to zone positions in the 10th National Assembly.

 APC yet to take decision on zoning principal offices

Sources in the APC said yesterday that no decision had yet been taken on the zoning of the remaining principal positions in the 10th National Assembly.

Investigation at the party’s NWC showed that the committee is yet to take a position on the sharing arrangement.

The Nation gathered that the issue was merely mentioned at the last meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) but not discussed in details.

“One of my colleagues brought the matter to our notice during our last NWC meeting, but it was not discussed,” a source said.

He added: “The inability of the NWC to be proactive was responsible for the face-off we had during the constitution of the Presidential Campaign Council.

“Again, it took Mr. President’s intervention before we had the consensus zoning arrangement for the presiding officers’ positions for the National Assembly.

“The ideal thing is for the party in concert with the President, to drive the process.

“The (NWC) that should midwife the process is leaving everything to the last minute and vacuum is not allowed in politics.”

A chieftain of the party, Clifford Ejimogu, said the zoning of the principal positions would require more considerations than the zoning of the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly.

According to him, “concessions were made during the just concluded inauguration of the National Assembly for the emergence of its leaders, the party will have to consider some of these agreements and concessions made for the smooth and free elections of Assembly leaders on Tuesday.

“For the sharing of the principal offices both in the Senate and House of Representatives, the process will require consultations with the newly elected leaders of the National Assembly on the agreement reached with other aspirants, especially those that stepped down in the two chambers.

“Nobody also knows the agreement Mr President must have struck with all the other aspirants while pushing the Akpabio/Abbas project.

“My suggestion is that the party should utilise the current adjournment by the two chambers to consult and ensure even distribution among the geopolitical zones.”

Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) governorship candidate of Kogi State, Dino Melaye, yesterday, told the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) that his claims of electoral infractions in Sokoto, Benue, Borno and Lagos States during the February 25 election were based on the information he received from agents of his party on the field.

Melaye said it was impossible for him to be in those states while monitoring events as the PDP’s National Collation Agent at the National Collation Centre in Abuja.

The 22nd witness (PW22) called by the petitioners in the case, Atiku Abubakar and the PDP against the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma, was led by the petitioners’ lead lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) to adopt and tender his three written statements on oath.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Melaye also said he voted on the day of the election in his state of Kogi. He said the voting process went smoothly as he was accredited with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He said the alleged fraud and other malpractices observed by the party’s agents made them not to sign election results and he had to leave the National Collation Centre before the process could be concluded.

He also faulted the non-transmission of the polling unit results to the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) portal, which he claimed was a violation of the law.

When asked if he had ever seen what he described in his statement as a “device management system,” the witness said “no” but that he heard about it from INEC.

He had claimed, in his statement, that INEC allegedly used the device to “intercept and quarantine results” during the election.

When reminded that he did not quote INEC in his statement, he said “Yes.”

Under cross-examination by the lawyer to President Tinubu, Akin Olujinmi (SAN), Melaye said it was the image of the result sheet at the polling unit that was to be uploaded to IREV.

He admitted that the failure of INEC to electronically transmit the results to IREV could not change what has been recorded in the hard copy of the polling unit result sheet.

On how he got information about his claim of malpractices in some states, Melaye said it came from his party’s agents some of whom sent him live videos, adding by so doing, he was present by means of technology.

Under cross-examination by counsel to the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Afolabi Fashanu (SAN), Melaye said although he claimed that his party’s votes were massively deducted, he failed to state in his statement the number of votes that he believed were so deducted.

He also said he failed to include in his statement the actual votes he believed his party got at the election.

While being cross-examined, Melaye spent most of the time deflecting questions, prompting members of the court’s panel to intervene.

At a point, the Presiding Justice, Justice Haruna Tsammani observed that Melaye was finding it difficult to answer simple questions because he came to the court with a mindset.

Justice Tsammani asked the petitioners’ lead lawyer, Chris Uche (SAN) to prevail on his witness to answer the questions put to him, adding: “We are here for serious business.”

After Melaye concluded his testimony, Uche tendered some election results – 22 Forms EC8A in respect of 13 Local Government Areas in Nasarawa State. He also tendered Forms EC40G and EC40G(2) also in respect of Nasarawa State.

He said the documents were supplied to them following the subpoena they served on INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu to produce some documents.

Further hearing in the petition resumes on Monday at 9 am.

Earlier during the hearing of the petition by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP), Eric Uwadiegwu Ofoedu, a Professor of Mathematics at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said he did not know the winner of the last presidential election in Rivers and Benue states.

Ofoedu, who was testifying as the petitioners’ fourth witness for Obi and the LP said, although he was engaged to analyse election results from both states, he  could not  say who won in the states.

The witness, whose report of his analysis of the electoral materials was tendered the previous day by the petitioners, said he did not know the number of polling units in the two states.

Ofoedu, during cross examination by counsel  to the APC, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), said the number of polling units in Benue and Rivers states were not up to the 18,000 blurred polling unit results sheets which he identified in his report and prayed the court to void.

On why he focused on two states won by the APC, the witness said the states were chosen randomly, and that he restricted himself to only Rivers and Benue because of time limitation.

The witness during cross examination by counsel to INEC Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), said he was not paid for the job he did for the LP and Obi.

The witness who said he voted on February 25 without any trouble, said he saw his engagement by the petitioners as an opportunity to gather data for the benefit of his students, adding that his primary source of his data was the INEC Results Viewing (IREV) portal.

He however admitted that the IREV portal is not capable of collating and tabulating election results.

Ofoedu said he also worked with copies of polling unit result sheets (Forms EC8A) in the custody of the petitioners’ agents.

On how he came about his finding that INEC did not comply with its regulations and Electoral Act while not being an election expert, the witness said he was able to reach such conclusion even though he was not an expert in election issues.

The witness, who claimed in his report, that there was over voting in the two states he analysed, however said there was no over voting in respect of polling unit 007, ward 007 in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State when he was confronted with a copy of the result for the polling unit.

Under cross examination by counsel to Olujinmi, witness said he agreed that votes are cast at the polling unit and that at the end of voting, votes are counted and recorded in Form EC8A.

The witness, who said it was the image of the Form EC8A that is normally uploaded to IREV, said one download blurred result sheets from IREV cannot change the information on the actual hard copy.

Ofoedu, who said he worked with the only available results as at when he conducted his analysis, told the court that his report would be different if he got more materials to work with.

The witness said he had never, before now, analysed election materials for the purpose of presentation in court.

On why he insisted on being subpoenaed to tender a report he claimed to have willingly produced for the petitioners, the witness said: “I did not know it will end up in court. I accepted to do the job because I saw it as a means of helping my students.”

The petitioners also called their sixth witness, Ijeoma Osamor, a staff of Daar Communication Plc, through whom Obi and the LP tendered a video recording of a presentation made on November 2, 2022, by INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

Mahmoud, Olujinmi and Owonikoko objected to the adoption of the witness’ written statement on the grounds that it was not filed along with the petitioner’s petition as required under the Electoral Act.

When played in court, the video revealed the INEC Chairman promising that BVAS would be deployed for accreditation, incident forms would not be used and that polling unit results would be uploaded in real-time for citizens to monitor the results.

Further hearing in the petition was scheduled for Monday at 2pm.

Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, yesterday  ordered the Director General of the Department of the State Security Services (SSS) and the agency to grant the  suspended Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to his lawyers and family members.

The order was sequel to an oral application by Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in suit FCT/HC/CV/6450/23.

 The judge said: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately and regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.” 

Listed as respondents in the fundamental rights application are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Director General of SSS and the SSS.

Daudu told the court that he had written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from Emefiele but  the SSS refused to respond.

Counsel to the SSS and its DG, I. Awo said his clients do not usually refuse such a request, as  it is wrong to do so.

Awo assured the court that his clients would abide  by its  order by  granting  access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him.

Counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.

The respondents, however, requested extension of time to file their  responses to the suit.

The request was also granted and the matter was adjourned to June 20,  2023 for the hearing of the substantive suit.

Emefiele was arrested by the agency last Saturday,24 hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu  on account of ” ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”