Category: Lead

There was drama at the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) yesterday during proceedings on the petition by the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi, who are challenging the declaration of President-elect Bola Tinubu as the winner of the February 25 election.

Before the court commenced sitting, members of the two factions of the LP, led by the Acting National Chairman, Lamidi Apapa and the suspended National Chairman, Julius Abure, engaged in open confrontation owing to disagreements on where to sit.

It took the prompt intervention of some court officials to restore peace, with Apapa saying afterwards that he was almost killed.

When their case was called, Peter Obi announced himself as the first petitioner, while Mrs. Dudu Manuga, who said she was the party’s National Women Leader, announced herself as the LP representative. Apapa also stood, saying he is the party’s acting National Chairman.

Justice Haruna Tsammani, who led the court’s five-member panel, said the court would not recognise anyone as representing the party, noting that it seemed that the party is not at peace.

Shortly after the court adjourned, loyalists of the opposing faction prevented Apapa from speaking with the press.

They created a rowdy atmosphere, which informed why security personnel on the ground had to force them out of the court premises.

Outside the court’s gate, the elderly Apapa, whose team appeared to have been outnumbered by the opposing faction, was physically assaulted, with his cap removed and slammed on his head by members of the opposing factions.

While addressing journalists later, Apapa, who was rescued by security officials, blamed Obi’s alleged insincerity and disregard for the rule of law for the crisis in the party.

Apapa said the trouble in the party would have been averted if Obi had withdrawn recognition from Abure, who was suspended based on the order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

Read Also: No end in sight to Labour Party crisis

Apapa, however, asked Obi to wade into the dispute objectively to amicably resolve the lingering crisis, adding that Obi must be unbiased to resolve the dispute.

He described as disgraceful the attack on him by members of the opposing faction, noting that it showed Obi’s leadership style because he witnessed the incident and preferred to stay aloof.

Apapa said that the leadership crisis would have been put behind them had Obi respected the order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) restraining Abure and three others from parading themselves as national officers of the party over their alleged indictment for forgery and perjury.

He said that it was wrong of Obi to recognise Abure despite the court order and as a presidential candidate seeking justice from the court of law.

Apapa denied receiving N500 million or any money or being influenced by anybody or any group to work against the party.

He also said it was wrong of Peter Obi to have claimed not to know him, adding that he worked closely with and even travelled on the same flights with Obi throughout his Presidential electioneering campaign.

He, therefore, appealed to Obi to be open-minded, neutral and objective to be able to stop the crisis.

Obidients almost killed me, says Apapa

 Apapa alleged the crowd that mobbed him was hired to kill him.

He told reporters after he was released from protective custody by security operatives that he was in court to assert himself as the Acting National Chairman.

He said he sensed trouble after the Director-General of Obi Campaign Organisation, Akin Osuntokun, refused to vacate a chair reserved for the chairman of the party.

“I went to him and inquired to know in what capacity he was sitting on the seat. I told him that since I am in court today, I am the right person to sit on that chair.”

On how he was mobbed, Apapa said: “They pounced on me, removed my cap and I am very sure that if not that you people (journalists) were there, I would have been dead by now.

“They threatened that if I appear in court that something would happen.”

Osuntokun: Apapa is obsessed with recognition

 Osuntokun accused Apapa of suffering from an obsession for recognition.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he said Apapa and his group were mercenaries doing the bidding of some disgruntled politicians.  

Osuntokun said Apapa and his team will fizzle out after the court case.

He said: “Lamidi Apapa is a liar. He is obsessed with recognition.

“I don’t blame them. They have hit a jackpot. These are people who don’t have clear means of livelihood and who are now tools in the hands of those who desire to scuttle democracy in this country.

“You can extrapolate from their conduct that they are being sponsored. If it is true that they are supporting the party and Peter Obi, why are they dragging the same man through several breaches?”

“It is likely that the APC was sponsoring the Apapa group because it has a vested interest in a weak LP.

“Obi was cheated and that is so conspicuous. He was nakedly rigged out of the election. That is why he is the target. Up till now, Obi is a newsmaker and he is the most compelling.”

He said that Apapa and his group were bent on scuttling the chances of the party and therefore, there is no room for reconciliation with him.

“There is an ulterior motive behind what they are doing. They have been going everywhere to scuttle the LP’s chances.

“As it stands now, there is no room for reconciliation with these people.

“You can only reconcile with somebody who wants the progress and wellbeing of the party. These people do not mean well for the party at all.

“The whole drama will fizzle out after the court case and nobody can subvert the petition of Peter Obi in court.

“It is unimaginable that a man (Apapa) of his age wants to create a nuisance everywhere he goes. They are mercenaries,” he maintained.

The Deputy National Chairman of the party in the North, Mike Auta, denied the allegation that APC was behind the crisis, adding that it was baseless.

• Families plan evacuation of patients •Govt negotiating with NARD leaders

Ailing patients were left in pains yesterday as the five-day warning strike by residents doctors grounded activities in teaching hospitals nationwide.

The worst affected facilities  were the Nationa Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Abuja; University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH),   Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital,     Federal Medical Centre, Asaba;;  Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH),  the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, and   National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu; Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Yenagoa, Bayelsa State,

Others were the  University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria; the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH);  Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH); Yola; Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH),  Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina; Benue State University Teaching Hospital,   Makurdi,   Federal Medical Centre, Birninkudu;  Federal University Dutse Teaching Hospital and  Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi.

The Federal Government, however, said it was negotiating with the leadership of the doctors’ umbrella body,  the National Association of Residents Doctors (NARD), to end the strike which enters its second day today.

NARD had NARD    warned on Monday that the strike would commence since the Federal Government had remained silent on the demand it made on   April 29, 2023.   

Chief among the demands are a 200 per cent review of their Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), payment of the 2023 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), and issuance of a circular by the House of Representatives jettisoning a bill seeking to stop doctors from leaving the country without a mandatory five-year service period.

Others are the issuance of a circular by the Federal Ministry of Health for the replacement of doctors and nurses that have left the system, the payment of salary arrears and improvement in hazard allowance by states. 

President of the association, Emeka Orji, had shortly before the strike commenced, called on President-elect  Bola   Tinubu to bring his experience to bear by crisis resolution. 

He stated that Tinubu’s intervention would send a message of hope to its members, and other Nigerians, that his government would not be a strike-mongering administration.

He said: “We issued a 14-day ultimatum expecting that the government will address many of these issues or at least call us for negotiation. But the  Federal Ministry of Health did not bat an eyelid or make any attempt to resolve these issues. 

“We know the capacity and the experience of President-elect Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu to resolve issues like this. He is going to be sworn-in in about two weeks. As far as we are concerned, this is the time for him to step in because we have been going around to engage this government, but their body language is that they are packing up.”

At nearly all the hospitals, activities were at a  low ebb as only specialist doctors/ consultants and nurses were seen attending to worried patients.

In some of the hospitals visited by The Nation correspondents, families were making plans to evacuate their hospitalised children and kin. In a few others, overburdened nurses and security guards turned back new patients and those on appointment. 

ABUTH management, however, said it would by Monday deploy the services of Locum doctors to attend to patients. Locum doctors  are medical professionals whose standing for regular doctors for a period of time

In many of the hospitals,  many patients experienced delays in accessing healthcare services, as only consultants and nurses attended to them.  Also, only those in an emergency were treated while patients on appointment were turned back by nurses and security guards.

  The Nation also gathered that many of the hospitals were preparing to discharge those recuperating due to a lack of manpower. 

 Some parents and relations of patients on admission were heard saying that they had no option but to seek alternative treatment places.

At LUTH,   NARD President, Kemi Abiloye, who confirmed  that members complied fully with the strike directive,  said: “Only consultants attended to some patients.”

Also at   LASUTH where doctors worked half day,  only a few patients were attended to, leaving many distressed.   

Read Also: FG warns resident doctors against planned strike

 A NARD executive  member, who asked not to be named, said: “We are being asked to come to Alausa   over the matter.” 

In Katsina, the Director of Corporate Affairs of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Bishir Idris said the management had to put in place, strategies to fill in the created by the strike.

“We have consultants, medical officers, physiotherapists, nurses, midwives and other health personnel on the ground, carrying out their (resident doctors) duties,” Idris added.

But NARD members in Osun State University Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH), did not participate in the strike yesterday, following the intervention of Governor Ademola Adeleke 

A source at a meeting between Adeleke  and NARD leaders yesterday, said: “We are going to hold our congress tomorrow(today) to know whether we are going to embark on  the ststrike did not also hold in federal hospitals in Ondo and Yobe states

 Fed. Govt negotiating with NARD leaders

 Health Minister Osagie Ehanire says the ministry is in close talks with stakeholders in the health sector to address the demands of the resident doctors.

Ehanire, who spoke at a news conference to commemorate this year’s World Hypertension Day in Abuja, said the issues at stake would soon be resolved.

 “With respect to the doctors’ strike, I believe that at this time, the leadership of the Ministry will as usual be engaging with the Ministry of Labour, relevant stakeholders and the resident doctors to resolve what the issues are. We hope that these issues will be resolved quickly,” the minister,  said.

He was represented at the event by the Director of Public Health at the Ministry,   Morenike Alex-Okoh.

Ehanire explained that “the situation with the doctors’ strike is of concern to the government,” and the negotiations had been ongoing and therefore would continue.

Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige yesterday accused the resident doctors of being disrespectful to the government.

He expressed surprise that the doctors could embark on the strike when negotiations were ongoing.

Ngige, who was featured on Arise Morning Show, said: “The resident doctors are part of NMA. They are young doctors in training.

“So if NMA is negotiating on their behalf as the parent body, what these young people (resident doctors) are doing is disrespecting the NMA. They are crying wolf when there is none.”

He warned that  Ehanire might instruct teaching hospitals to employ and pay ad-hoc staff with the money meant for the striking doctors.

“It is incongruous for students doctors to embark on strike when consultants training them were already negotiating with the Federal Government,” Ngige said.

Manchester City delivered a relentless performance laced with outstanding quality to overpower holders Real Madrid and reach the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Istanbul.

City have lost two previous semi-finals to Real but they made no mistake here at a joyous Etihad Stadium to now stand one step away from claiming the trophy that has always stayed tantalisingly out of reach for Pep Guardiola’s team.

And their display in a magical first half, in particular, will live long in the memory as the masters of this tournament were left bewildered by City’s brilliance.

It maintained a seemingly unstoppable march towards a treble of Champions League, Premier League – which can be won with victory at home to Chelsea on Sunday – and the FA Cup, where they play Manchester United in the final at Wembley.

Read Also: Man City close to league title with 3-0 victory at Everton

Real keeper Thibaut Courtois performed heroics to save two Erling Haaland headers early in the first half but he was powerless to stop Bernardo Silva’s close-range finish after 23 minutes, the Portugal midfielder scoring a looping header for the second eight minutes before half-time.

City faced the occasional threats from Real after the break, Ederson saving well from David Alaba and Karim Benzema, but they were no match and when Manuel Akanji’s header deflected in off Eder Militao 14 minutes from time the celebrations started.

Substitute Julian Alvarez then wrapped up the dominant win with a late strike after latching onto a brilliant Phil Foden pass.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has assured the President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will take over on May 29 ‘’whether they like or not.’’
He tasked Nigerians to pray for the incoming administration to succeed in steering the affairs of the country.

He spoke during a roundtable engagement with traditional and religious rulers on Wednesday in Abuja.

The event organised by the World Bank was to fashion a way out to increase human capital development in the country especially, the girl child education.

The Sultan, who was urging attendees not to abandon the advocacy of ending child marriage and other impediments to the growth of the girl when they get to their community said: “There must be change because in the next few days or weeks there will be a new government, what can we contribute to that government to stabilize?

Read Also: ​US Secretary of State Blinken to Tinubu: we’ll strengthen partnership with Nigeria

“Whether anybody likes it, it must take place, a new government is coming on 29 May, so what can we do besides prayers because we believe in Almighty, we believe in God that gives and takes.

“After that so what? What do we do to help the government stabilise and move the country forward?”

He added that it is an opportunity for religious and traditional leaders to work together for the betterment of the country.

“Let us continue to work as one big family with different mothers and fathers or whatever it is, but our main father and mother is Nigeria. As religious leaders, there must be equity and justice in whatever is being done and that is what I think we need to talk about the most,” Sultan said.

The factional National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) Lamidi Apapa has alleged the crowd that mobbed him on Wednesday at the venue of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) was hired to kill him.

Apapa told reporters after he was released from protective custody by security operatives he was in court to assert himself as the Acting National Chairman of the party.

He said he sensed trouble after the Director-General of Obi campaign organisations, Akin Osuntokun, refused to vacate a chair reserved for chairman of the party.

“I went to him and inquired to know on what capacity he was sitting on the seat. I told him that since I am in court today, I am the right person to sit on that chair.”

On how he was mobbed, Apapa, said: “They pounced on me, removed my cap and I am very sure that if not that you people (journalists) were there, I would have been dead by now.”

Read Also: Labour Party crisis deepens as court affirms Apapa chair

He alleged Obi was aware he would be attacked, stating that members of the presidential campaign group of the party in a meeting on Tuesday to broker peace among the warring factions, vowed to deal with him should he attend the court session.

“They threatened that if I appear in court that something would happen,” he stressed.

He also denied he collected N500million to scuttle Obi’s petition against the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

While branding Obi “a liar” for saying that he does not know him, Apapa said he actively participated in all the campaigns before the presidential election and flew back to Abuja with him in the same aircraft on one of the occasions.

“I want to tell the whole world that he is a liar. I have been in the party for over 21 years while he is not even up to one year in the party.

“I have never taken any kobo from anybody and I have challenged anyone that has any evidence to bring it forward,” he added.

He said he has contributed more to the party than Obi, denying he was in court to withdraw the petition against Tinubu.

“Apart from money, what else does he (Obi) have that I don’t have?” Apapa queried.

He accused Obi of refusing to respect the court order that suspended the Julius Abure-led executives of the party.

There was serious drama within the leadership of the Labour Party after the court proceeding on Wednesday after a faction of the party strongly resisted journalists from interviewing the Lamidi Apapa-led group.

The group waited to block the interview with Apapa and booed him while chanting “ole”, “thief” and other uncomplimentary words.

Read Also: Labour Party crisis deepens as court affirms Apapa chair

The police quickly intervened as Apapa was swiftly taken outside the court premises even as the chanting continued.

The Nation reports that drama ensued at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday when officials of the two factions of Labour Party clashed.

Before the court began proceeding, the factions of the Labour Party could be sighted at the PEP Court, engaging in a war of words over which faction is the authentic one.

Details Shortly…

The Presidential Election Petition Court has adjourned the pre-hearing of the petition against the President-elect Asiwaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi to Friday, May 19.

Read Also: JUST IN: Drama as LP factions clash at election tribunal

The court headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani fixed the date, following the failure of parties in the petition to agree on documents among other reasons.

The Nation reports that drama ensued at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday when officials of the two factions of Labour Party clashed.

Details shortly…