Category: Lead

• Says protest plan threat to national security
• DSS raises the alarm over plot to disrupt peace
• Atiku: I’ll continue to challenge legality of polls

Citing internal and external conspiracies, President-elect Bola Tinubu yesterday alleged a plot by the opposition to frustrate his inauguration on May 29. But he warned the plotters to desist and give peace a chance.

His claims were corroborated by the Department of State Service (DSS) which in a statement yesterday raised the alarm on the plot by some persons to disrupt the nation’s peace.

Tinubu, who spoke through his Director of Public Affairs, Festus Keyamo (SAN), said in a statement in Abuja that those who have taken to the streets protesting his victory in last month’s election are fixated on having an Interim National Government (ING).

In a separate statement yesterday, the Director New Media of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, vowed that the party could no longer serve as a punching bag for the opposition.

“There can be no more cheating, no more subterfuge, no more games and no more dastardly tricks,” the one time aviation minister said.

Keyamo, who is also the minister of state for Labour and Employment, said calls by the opposition for the cancellation of the presidential election and or his inauguration “are not in tandem with our constitutional provisions or our electoral laws.”

According to him, the APC would ordinarily “have taken these as mere wishful thinking, however because of their implications for national security and public order, we have therefore considered it necessary, if not expedient, to call them to order.”

He added: “We are aware of the intentions of those engaged in these treasonable and subversive acts. We also know those involved in the many plots being contrived to undermine the transition in particular and democracy in general.

“They are fixated with an Interim Government. They have done it in this country before and it threw the country into avoidable crises for many years, and they want to do it again. They are bent on delegitimising the new government.

“Some have made treasonable insinuations and openly called for military take-over. It is for these reasons that they are desperate to incite the people against the incoming government.”

Keyamo said it was perplexing to “see that those contesting the results want to be in the courts and on the streets at the same time.”

He warned that if the intention of the agitators was to truncate the inauguration of the President-elect and Vice-President elect, “they should immediately bury the thought.”

Continuing, Keyamo said: “It is gratifying to note that the President has set in motion steps for the actualisation of the swearing-in ceremonies.

“In this regard, the Presidential Transition Council has remained focused and committed to its Terms of Reference in respect of organising a hitch-free handover.”

Noting the efforts made by Tinubu to reach out to those embittered by his emergence as President-elect, Keyamo said: “On many occasions after the declaration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the election, his public speeches and utterances have centered on reconciliation, forgiveness and greater vision for Nigeria.

“He has pledged fairness as the basis for his present and future engagements. He has unequivocally stated that he would not accord favour to those that supported him, neither would he mistreat those who did not vote for him. This is statesmanly and patrotic.

“We all watched the President-elect as Governor of Lagos for eight years. He never undermined any person or tribe. He championed people-oriented policies.

“It is common knowledge that he is a welfarist and a pacifist. This is even more so that millions of citizens have spoken through the ballot box in his favour.”

He conceded to the agitators their right to contest the outcome of the election but said they should do so within the ambits of the law.

His words: “By being declared winners, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima are legally entitled to be inaugurated into office AS PROVIDED for by law and AS WE HAVE PRACTISED SINCE 1999, whilst those that feel otherwise have the right to seek legal redress in court.

“Why should their situation be different from what we have practised since 1999?

“Those who are dissatisfied with the declaration MUST conduct themselves within the ambits of the law.

“Nigeria is not a lawless country and should not be portrayed as such no matter the frustrations as presently being exhibited by some bad losers.

“Those who are stoking the embers of hate, division and falsehoods as well as peddling misleading narratives through some compromised media outlets should detract from such. It amounts to campaigning after elections.

“Hate speeches, fake news and propaganda at a time like this are needless because Nigerians have already made their choice.

“Those who are bent on scuttling the process will ignite the fire of destruction and run away. But they should not even start.

“We simply wish that peace reigns in the country. It does not make sense that some persons who should know better are encouraging violence and are so determined to achieve that.

“We know these persons and their sponsors from within and outside Nigeria and we shall be working closely with the security agencies to apprehend them and bring them to book.

“Our concern is that every day Nigerians who are unaware of the evil intentions of these persons should not be used as cannon fodders. Enough is enough.

“Their continuous determination to dare us should cease forthwith. We are not lacking in capabilities and capacities.

“Our silence should not be taken for cowardice. We should come together for the peace of our beloved country. It is better.”

FFK:  We can’t remain opposition’s punching bag for ever

In his own statement, Fani-Kayode accused supporters of the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi of beating the drums of war.

He asked them to “get a grip before it is too late.”

“They are beating the drums of war and are indulging in a level of irresponsible and downright dangerous behaviour that has NEVER been witnessed before in the annals of the history of our politics,” he said.

“The signals are not good and, unless they exercise restraint, reflect sobriety and change course quickly, it is clear that our nation will soon find itself in a cataclysmic and monumental struggle between the forces of light and darkness, the likes of which have never been seen before.

“Peace is priceless and unity is a fundamental pre-requisite to progress and prosperity: you must learn to cherish them both.

“That you have lost today does not mean you will lose forever. I counsel you to calm down, purge yourself of hate, sheath your sword of war, drop your dastardly game plan and not so hidden agenda to establish an Interim Government, desist from displaying madness, bend the knee and bow to your President-elect, refrain from weaponising falsehood, act within the law and, if you must, make your protestations quietly in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility, and there will be no problems.

“Go to court, if you must, and state your case with respect, dignity and decorum, and I assure you that no matter the outcome, there will be NO issues.

“That is what democracy and the rule of law is all about. You win some and you lose some.

“That is the reasonable, rational and responsible attitude and disposition that you should cultivate, display, engender and reflect.

“That is the path to peace.

“However if you continue to say you do not believe in the system or institutions, that the President-elect must not be sworn in under any circumstances and that you have no faith in the courts or the rule of law and you encourage people to take the law into their own hands, then you are inviting chaos, anarchy, violence, tyranny, fascism, treason, a breach of the constitution and the law of the jungle, and we will NOT sit by idly and allow that.

“If you continue to incite, intimidate, threaten, provoke, destabilise, undermine and overheat the polity and breach the rules of engagement, all hell will break loose.

“We cannot be a punching bag for the opposition forever, and soon, we will react.

“Those that kindle fire shall be consumed by it. Those that invoke the spirit of war shall be destroyed by it.

“Those that wish to truncate our democracy shall be crushed by it. And those that seek peace, unity, justice, progress and fair play shall find it.

“The people have spoken. God has approved it.

“There are some things that are worth fighting and, if necessary, dying for, and democracy, fair play, truth, the rule of law, righteousness and justice are amongst them.

“Let that sink and let peace reign.”

DSS raises alarm over plot to disrupt peace

The Department of State Service (DSS) has again alerted the public of plans by some persons to violently disrupt the nation’s peace.

Spokesman of the agency, Dr Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement yesterday evening.

He warned those who intend to cause a breakdown of law and order to desist.

The statement reads: “The Service hereby warns those desperate to cause a breakdown of law and order to desist from that.

“It would be recalled that the Service had earlier advised political players to abide by the rules of engagement as well as approach the courts for redress, if and where there are suspicions of infractions on extant electoral laws.

“It is evident that some aggrieved politicians are already taking advantage of this legal process. This, without doubt, is the beauty of democracy.

“It is strongly believed that this approach enhances peace and security. All and sundry should cherish it.

“Be that as it may, the DSS will not tolerate a situation where persons and/or groups take the law into their hands and champion anarchy.

“Those peddling fake news, hate speech and all forms of false narratives as basis to ignite violence or pit the people against the present or incoming administrations at the Federal, State and Parliamentary levels, should stop forthwith.

“Those inciting violence have nothing to gain as doing so will not only consume them but also the innocent.

“It is otherwise disturbing to see respected personalities use their platforms to mislead or incite citizens. This, to say the least, does not augur well for peaceful coexistence and general order.

“Therefore, the Service will continue to take necessary measures to checkmate these elements who do not wish the country well.

“This is to ensure that conducive environment is provided for citizens and residents to pursue their legitimate businesses.

“A stitch in time, they say, saves nine. Let all be guided.”

 Ambition of a few should not threaten Nigeria’s peace, says Mayaki

A chieftain of the APC in Edo State, Prince John Mayaki, said yesterday that the volume of inciting statements flowing from the camp of the opposition was an indication that “something sinister is in the offing.”

“They are doing everything possible to make sure that there’s no peaceful handover and then possibly truncate democracy in the country,” he said.

He added: “Having lost the presidential election, the Labour Party has now rejoined its parent party, the PDP, and together they are plotting an unconstitutional overthrow of the ballots.

“They huffed and puffed for days, boasting that they have the evidence to prove their spurious allegations of rigging and other electoral malpractices in court. But after due consultation with serious legal experts, and with the mockery that trailed their laughable petitions, they have since realised the futility of the suit, and are thus seeking other illegal means to block the emergence of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The opposition is not only inciting Nigerians to continue to protest and calling for the annulment of the election, they have been spreading hate and inciting Nigerians to make sure that the President-elect is not sworn-in.

“They haven’t stopped there; they have also made the judiciary the target of their attack in a dangerous attempt to intimidate the institution and sow the seeds of non-existent bias that is in the mind of its headless mob.”

Keyamo’s claims frivolous -Atiku

Reacting in a statement to Keyamo’s allegation that the opposition was planning to truncate democracy, the Special Assistant to Atiku Abubakar on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described it as frivolous.

He said Keyamo should be sanctioned for abandoning his primary job as a minister to act as the spokesman for Tinubu’s campaign organisation even after the polls had ended.

Shaibu said: “Festus Keyamo’s primary duty is to serve as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But this is a man that has put his personal interest ahead of the country. He took up a job as Spokesman for Tinubu’s campaign while lecturers were on strike for eight months.

“Rather than negotiate with lecturers and get innocent students back to class, he asked the parents of students to go negotiate with ASUU instead. After the strike, he remained the Spokesman for Tinubu’s campaign and abandoned his duties completely.

“Today, the Nigeria Labour Congress is threatening to embark on a nationwide strike over the naira scarcity. By virtue of his job as labour minister, his primary duty is to avert industrial action. But rather than try to intervene in a strike that could bring the country to its knees, this minister is busy with politics and issuing frivolous statements over an imaginary plot.”

In a separate statement he personally signed yesterday, Atiku denied a press release earlier attributed to him purportedly validating the result of the February 25 presidential election won by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Atiku said: “The so-called press release did not emanate from me or my office, and it should be treated with repudiation, untrue, and deliberately contrived by those who illegally appropriated the mandate of the Nigerian people.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, I wish to state categorically that my lawyers still have my unflinching mandate to challenge the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.

“I join other lovers of democracy in Nigeria and friends of our great country in the outright rejection of the predetermined outcome of the February 25 election.

“I shall continue to challenge the legality of that election, alongside my party, the Peoples Democratic Party,” the statement said.

By Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)/Kolade Adeyemi, Jos/ Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia/AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna/ Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu/Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan

After several weeks of hardship occasioned by the naira scarcity, some semblance of sanity yesterday began to return to the banking halls and ATM points as customers were able to access cash with less stress than before.

Although many customers who thronged the various banks and ATM points could not get as much cash as they desired, there was an appreciable improvement on what had prevailed since January.

The Central Bank (CBN),in an apparent move to avert the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)  over the naira scarcity, had ordered the banks to open yesterday (Saturday) and today (Sunday) to enable Nigerians access cash.

The apex bank itself threw its vaults open for  the banks to have cash to circulate.

However, supply from the CBN to the commercial banks as at yesterday fell far below demand.

Industry sources had told The Nation  that the scarcity would still linger for some more  time in view of the current high demand for cash, especially by individuals.

In Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, Enugu and other cities and towns, customers besieged the banks as early as they found it convenient to draw money from their accounts or withdraw from the ATMs.

Customers were seen standing on queues entering the banking halls one after another.

The banks that opened for operations along Nyanya-Mararaba road include First City Monument Bank (FCMB), United Bank for Africa (UBA), Zenith Bank, First Bank, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, and Access Bank.

Mrs Ngozi Ugoh, a customer at Access Bank said she did not know about the CBN directive.

She claimed to  have seen  a large crowd in her bank.She joined them and was attended to.

”I didn’t know about the directive of opening at weekends but I was just passing by and saw people so I entered to see if I can get some cash,” she said.

Another customer, Mr Andy Jerry seen at Zenith Bank described the development as a welcome one.

He believed the  banks were complying with the CBN directive to work during the weekend to shelve the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to the apex bank.

”I think the CBN compelled banks to work weekends so that the protest by NLC will not hold.

”I like this because it will give more time for people to access cash,” he said.

Miss Stephanie Ikpe commended the CBN for the directive.

She said the development would help reduce the cash crunch currently being experienced by the masses.

Ikpe appealed to the CBN to monitor banks to ensure that their weekend operations continued.

Many of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) resorted to rationing cash to enable as many people as possible benefit.

The branch of a tier one bank in Garki paid  customers N10,000 each over the counter, while other branches of the same bank in other locations paid as much as N20,000.

A second tier bank paid a maximum of N100,000 cash to customers.

A CBN official told The Nation yesterday that the apex bank “will sustain its release of cash to DMBs to meet customers’ demands.”

All the banks sent out messages to their customers informing them that they would be open for business yesterday and today as directed by the CBN.

Some bank customers in Kaduna expressed satisfaction with the CBN move  and called for ceaseless release of the old notes and allow them to co-exist with the new notes until the old notes are phased out.

An official of one of the banks said: “all our  branches are opened for business. In fact, we started giving out cash since yesterday (Friday) and we are still giving today. We are going to open tomorrow (today) too.

 “I can also assure you that we have received enough cash from the CBN and we are giving out cash to our customers without rationing it.”

Jos residents relieved, delighted

Bank customers in Jos were full of praises  for  the CBN yesterday as cash disbursement showed signs of improvement in the city.

One of them, Shedrach Dabut said: “I just received cash from the counter; I spent less than 20 minutes  unlike before. So I give  kudos to CBN for bringing us this relief.

Rosemary Agu said: “Well, everyone is happy now because we are getting cash from the banks and  ATMs. I’ve  just withdrawn N20,000.00 from an ATM”

Dauda Kawu said: “We thank CBN for releasing our cash.But they should release more cash to the banks and Point of Service (POS)  operators  to reduce the queues at ATMs.”

Most of the banks had limited cash and had to restrict the amount collected by customers.

Mrs Kachollom Bot, a vegetable dealer in Farin-gada market, said that there may be food shortage later in the year as many farmers had to either eat or sell off their seedlings in exchange for cash during the scarcity.

She asked the government and the CBN to be more proactive in the future in taking and making policies that had direct impacts on all Nigerians.

Banks load ATMs with cash in Enugu

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) dispensed cash freely  in Enugu State yesterday bringing  much relief to cash strapped residents.

Other customers who chose to go to the banking halls also returned home with money.

One of the customers said: “I came  here when a neighbour told me that the banks opened to customers today and that they were paying N20,000 cash.

“So, I had to come to see for myself and as you can see, it’s almost my turn to be attended to.”

Large turnout of customers in Ibadan

There were mixed reactions from customers in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

While some commended the  CBN for its directive to the banks to open for business yesterday and today, some others described the move as avoidable stress for the people.

They were of the view that Nigerians would not have gone through the suffering of the last two months if the CBN had done the needful all along.

Rushed Babayomi said the complaints now being addressed by the apex bank ought to have been dealt with before now.

Kolapo Oladapo asked the CBN to direct the  banks to operate from 8am to 4pm daily to enable them attend to more  customers.

Queues reduce in Lagos as ATMs dispense cash

 Long queues at commercial banks in Lagos have suddenly disappeared following the injection of more bank notes into the system by the CBN.

A roving correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Mr Ayotunde Dayo, a transporter, who expressed joy that the long queues were gone, urged the apex bank to adequately supply banks with enough cash that could go round for everyone to access.

He said:“This rationing of cash that banks are doing is not the best. When I heard that CBN had asked banks to begin to pay customers cash even on weekends, I was happy because the suffering of the people would reduce.

“But from the look of things, the sufferings will still continue because many banks only pay to their customers, if you are a non-customer, nothing for you.”

Mrs Paulina Ikechukwu, a secondary school teacher, urged the apex bank to ensure enough cash was moved to commercial banks and accessible by everyone.

“The banks need to be faster because the masses are dying of hunger since the naira redesign came on board.

“The CBN should monitor the banks and ensure they comply; the typical Nigerian banks that I know would start well now and do something else in the coming days,’’ she said.

The CB had on Friday launched what observers called frantic efforts to stave off the planned strike by the NLC over the naira scarcity.

The apex bank said it had commenced evacuation of banknotes from its vaults to commercial banks across the country.

It also  directed all commercial banks to open for operation yesterday and today .

The planned NLC strike was scheduled to commence on Wednesday.

However, the NLC said it  would deploy its officials to monitor the cash distribution promised by the CBN,and then convene on Tuesday  to review the situation.

President of the congress,Mr.Joe Ajaero  said whatever is achieved between now and Tuesday by the CBN will determine whether labour should  proceed with its planned strike on Wednesday.

• Awards N5 million in favour of APC

Moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to get the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima disqualified by the courts have hit the rocks at the Court of Appeal.

The court on Friday held that the PDP lacked the locus standi to institute, maintain or demand the reliefs it sought as it was not an aspirant in the primaries of the APC and that Section 285 (14) (c ) of the 1999 Constitution does not grant it locus to challenge either the primaries or the nomination of Shettima.

The Court consequently dismissed the PDP appeal for want of merit and awarded in favour of each of the respondents, namely APC, its Presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Shettima and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the sum of N5 million.

The appeal stemmed from the January 13, 2023 judgment of Justice Ekwo Inyang of the Federal High Court in the suit filed by the PDP against APC, Tinubu, Shettima and INEC.

The plaintiffs had sought the following reliefs:

*A declaration that by the provisions of Section 35 of the Electoral Act 2022,the 4th Respondent (Shettima) is disqualified from participating in the February 25,2023 Presidential Election having knowingly allowed himself to be nominated in two constituencies as Senator Borno Central District and as Vice Presidential candidate of the 2nd Respondent (APC).

*A declaration that the nominations of the 3rd (Tinubu) and 4th Respondents as Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates of the 2nd Respondent (APC) is void having regards to the double nominations of the $th Respondent.

*An order disqualifying the 3rd and 4th Defendants from contesting or participating in the forthcoming 2023 Presidential General Election as a candidate of the 2nd Respondent.

*An order directing the 1st Respondent to strike off the names of the 3rd and 4th Respondents as candidates of the 2nd Respondent eligible to contest for the Presidential Election slated for February 25, 2023.

*An injunction restraining the 3rd and 4th Respondents from further representing themselves as candidates of the 2nd Respondent for the Presidential Election.

*An order restraining the 2nd Respondent from further nominating candidates for the Presidential Election.

*And for such orders as the Honurable court may deem fit to make as consequential to the reliefs sought by the Plaintiffs in this suit.

The alleged double nomination of Shettima is a major plank of the petition filed by the PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal against the election of Tinubu.

AHEAD of the April 14 governorship primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), 23 governorship aspirants from Bayelsa and Kogi States were yesterday screened by the party. The only aspirant from Imo State, Governor Hope Obidika Uzordima who was returned unopposed appeared before the screening committee on Friday. From Bayelsa State, six aspirants screened by the committee include the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Silva, the 2019 governor-elect, Chief David Pereworimini Lyon, Ogbomade Isikima Johnson, Prof. Ongoebi Etebu Maureen, Festus Daumiebi Sunday and Joshua Maciver.

From Kogi State, the deputy governor of the state, Edward David Onoja, tops the list of screened aspirants. Others were the current Senator representing Kogi West and former National President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Senator Smart Adeyemi, Abdulkareem Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Governor Yahaya Bello, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka, son of the former Gov. Abubakar Audu, Prince Shauibu Abubakar Audu,  Sanusi Ohiare, former Executive Director, Rural Electrification Agency, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Salami Momodu O. Deedat and Usman Ododo, Auditor General, Local Government.

Also screened were the Chairman Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Crime, Senator Oseni Yakubu, Halima l. Alfa, Momoh Jibrin, Alh. Yusuf Yakubu Okala, Asiru Idris, Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, Abubakar Yahaya Achimugu,  Idachaba Friday and David A. Jimoh, James Abiodun Faleke was still being expected by the committee at the time of filing the report. Addressing newsmen after the screening, Senator Smart Adeyemi called on the Governor Yahaya Bello of the state not to become a tribal leader. He said he made the call following speculations in some quarters that the governor was working towards ensuring that another Ebira man succeeds him.

CONTRARY to speculations in certain quarters, the Chairman, Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has said there is no friction between Igbo and Yoruba in Lagos.

There had been allegations and counter-allegations between the Yoruba and Igbo, living in Lagos over the 2023 elections.

Iwuanyanwu stated that there was no war whatsoever between the Igbos and Yorubas in Lagos State.

He condemned individuals he described as political rascals for the ethnically charged rhetoric against the Igbo in the state.

“I want to tell those in Lagos to realise that there is no war between us and Yorubas. They are just political rascals, and we’re going to handle them,” Iwuanyanwu said Saturday at a ceremony in Anambra State to commemorate Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s one year in office.

“The elders have directed the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, [Okey] Emuchay, to set up a commission of inquiry to find out things destroyed; people are going to pay.”

The Igbo elder stated that he convened a meeting of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders worldwide, who X-rayed the events in Lagos during the meeting held on Wednesday.

“I want to tell you that people who attended from our branches in America, Canada, Europe, London and Nigeria have resolved and I want those from Lagos to go home and tell those in Lagos.

“We have resolved that never again can we allow anybody to take the life of any innocent person. All of us are going to fight the person. Never again!”

The Ohanaeze leader asserted that southeastern natives were fellow Nigerians who had “so much” investments in the country.

Reacting to the rhetoric ordering Igbo sojourners to leave other regions, he said, “We are not going anywhere.”

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has dismissed a csse by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking the disqualification of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 25 election.

The PDP, had by their appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/108/2023 urged the appellate court to reverse the January 13 judgment by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja which dismissed it’s suit on the grounds that the PDP lacked locus standi to have instituted the suit.

In the unanimous judgment  on Friday evening, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, held, in the lead judgment that the PDP failed to establish its locus standi.

Justice James Abundaga, who agreed with the submissions of lawyers to the respondents, including Thomas Ojo of Lateef Fagbemi and Co, described the PDP as a busy body, who dabbled into issues that are internal affairs of the APC.

Respondents in the appeal are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, Tinubu and Shettima.

Justice Abundaga held that the trial court was right to have held that the PDP failed to establish its locus standi.

“The appellant, having failed disclose its locus standi, this appeal fails and it is hereby dismissed,” he said and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the Federal High Court.

Justice Abundaga awarded N5million cost against the appellant’s lawyer, J. O. Olotu.

The PDP had, in the suit filed on July 28, 2022, challenged the validity of the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2023 presidential election, arguing that Shettima’s nomination as the running mate was in breach of the provisions of Sections 29(1), 33, 35 and 84{1)}(2)} of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended).

Claiming that Shettima had double nominations, the PDP argued that Shettima’s nomination as a vice-presidential candidate as well as the candidate for the Borno Central Senatorial seat contravened the law.

The PDP, which sought an order disqualifying the APC, Tinubu and Shettima from contesting the presidential election scheduled for February 25 equally po rayed the court for an order nullifying their candidacy.

It further prayed the court for an order compelling INEC to remove their names from its list of nominated or sponsored candidates eligible to contest the election.

The defendants, in their preliminary objection urged the court to dismiss the suit for want of jurisdiction.

They contended that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the case, which invariably challenged APC’s decision and its nomination of candidates for the election, which were within the confines of the party’s internal affairs and thus, non-justiciable.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned Mamman Ali, son of a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmadu Ali, for alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Ali was re-arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada with one Christian Taylor and a company, Nasaman Oil Services Limited before 

The defendants were arraigned on an amended 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and use of false documents.

They however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Following their not guilty plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Samuel Atteh, prayed the court for a trial date to enable prosecution to call its witnesses and tender necessary documents relating to the alleged fraud. 

Defence counsel, Kolade Obafemi however prayed to the court to allow the defendants to continue on the bail earlier granted them.

Responding, Atteh told the court that it was very important that the defendants’ attend court for  trial.

Read Also: EFCC, ICPC to respond in Keyamo’s suit against Atiku Abubakar

However, the defence counsel could not immediately present the defendants’ bail applications before the court.

The trial judge, Justice Dada, consequently ordered that the defendants should be remanded at the EFCC custody pending presentation of the bail papers and a formal application for their bail.

Justice Dada adjourned the case till May 30 for commencement of trial.

The defendants were initially arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

However, Justice Onigbanjo withdrew from the case having proceeded on retirement  prompting reassignment of the case to Justice Dada.

The EFCC, in one of the counts, alleged that the defendants, with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain N750 million from the Federal Government by falsely representing subsidy accruing to Nasaman Oil Services Ltd. under the Petroleum Support Fund for importation of 10,031,986 litres of Premium Motor Spirit which Nasaman Oil Services Ltd. purported to have purchased from SEATAC Petroleum Ltd. of British Virgin Islands and imported into Nigeria through MT Liquid Fortune Ltd.

The commission said that the defendants knew that the representation was false.

According to the commission, the defendants committed the offences with one Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and one Olabisi Abdul-Afeez, both still at large, on November 9, 2011, in Ikeja.

• •Confirms evacuation of old notes to commercial banks
• •Banks extend closing hours; to open branches on Saturday, Sunday
• •Cash crunch may linger as fears grow over insufficient notes
• •Labour to monitor situation; review strike threat Tuesday – Ajaero
• •Apex bank denies suspending accounts of Fintech firms

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday launched into what observers called frantic efforts to stave off the planned strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over naira scarcity.

The apex bank threw open its vaults for the commercial banks to access and circulate as much naira notes as available.

But The Nation gathered that the available volume of money may be inadequate to meet the massive demand for now.

The NLC leadership met yesterday on its planned strike and resolved to monitor the CBN moves to enable it decide on its next line of action.

The Acting Director, Corporate Communications Department of the CBN, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin, said in a statement in Abuja yesterday that the apex bank had commenced evacuation of banknotes from its vaults to commercial banks across the country.

The evacuation, according to him, is “part of a coordinated effort to ease the circulation of banknotes of various denominations”.

The CBN directed all commercial banks to open for operation on Saturdays and Sundays from today.

Dr. Isa AbdulMumin said that “a substantial amount of money, in various denominations, had been received by the commercial banks for onward circulation to their respective customers.”

The banks were directed to load their Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and conduct physical operations in the banking halls through the weekends.

“Branches of commercial banks will operate on Saturdays and Sundays to attend to customers’ cash needs,” Isa AbdulMumin said.

Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, is expected to “personally lead teams to monitor the level of compliance by the banks in various locations across the country on Monday.”

AbdulMumin therefore urged Nigerians to be patient as the current situation would ease soon with the injection of more banknotes into circulation.

The cash supply from the banks appeared to have improved yesterday in Abuja as many banks in Garki Areas 7 and 8 attended to customers. Others were seen making withdrawals from ATMs in old notes.

The story was however different at Nyanyan on the outskirts of Abuja. Some banks had closed to customers as early as 12 noon because they had not received cash from their head offices.

Banks extend closing hours

Commercial banks yesterday extended closing hours to 5 pm to enable them meet increased demand for cash by their customers.

The closing time extension, followed release of billions of old naira banknotes by the CBN to commercial bank headquarters, and subsequently to branches after months of chronic cash shortage.

At the Ibeju-Lekki Lagos branches of some commercial banks, the lenders were attending to customers up to 5.00pm as against the usual 3 pm closing time.

The banks paid N20,000 across the counter and N10,000 through Automated Teller Machine (ATM) points.

“This is the first time I am accessing cash of this volume in nearly one month.  I was able to make a cash withdrawal of N20,000 across the counter, and  N10,000 from the ATM,” Michael Adigun, a customer with Fidelity Bank Ibeju-Lekki branch, said.

Many other bank customers were also able to make cash withdrawals across the counter, and also through ATMs.

The cash crunch followed two key programmes – the cash limit and naira redesign – being implemented by the CBN under its currency reforms programme.

The improved cash liquidity followed CBN’s confirmation of  bank notes’ evacuation from its vaults to commercial banks across the country as part of a coordinated effort to ease the circulation of bank notes of various denominations.

The cash scarcity had continued over two weeks after the CBN asked banks to accept and pay old N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations.

Also yesterday the CBN denied reports that it had suspended accounts of some Fintech firms.

Spokesman for the apex bank said reports that OPAY and Palmpay were suspended was “simply fake”.

NLC monitors development, to review planned strike Tuesday

Following the latest action by the CBN to ease naira circulation, the leadership of the Nigeria

Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday met in Abuja to discuss the situation.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, told The Nation on the phone that congress was more interested in action than rhetoric.

He said it was not enough for the apex bank to promise releasing more cash into circulation.

Therefore, he said the NLC would deploy its officials to monitor the cash distribution promised by CBN,and then convene on Tuesday to review the situation.

He said whatever is achieved between now and Tuesday by the CBN will determine whether labour should proceed with its planned strike slated to begin on Wednesday.

He said the issue of fuel scarcity would be addressed by the NLC after dealing with the naira scarcity.

Manufacturers urge FG to dialogue with NLC over plan to picket CBN offices

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) urged the Federal Government to dialogue with the NLC on its planned picketing of CBN offices nationwide.

Dr Okwara Udensi Edo/Delta Chairman of MAN, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin, said embarking on strike was not the best option as it would compound the present sufferings of Nigerians.

“For us as manufacturers, strike is not the best option. Dialogue is the best thing so that we will not suffer more.

“Embarking on industrial action will ground our businesses. Road transport workers might join the strike and this will cripple our activities.

“But unfortunately, it seems strike is the language the government understands.

“I read in the newspapers that the CBN says it will mop up the old N500 and N1,000 notes to commercial banks.

“Must people tell them they want to go on strike before they mop up cash to banks?” he queried.

He regretted that the manufacturing sector had continued to witness high cost of production; a situation that is not good for economic development.

“We now buy diesel for between N820 and N830 per litre. How many litres of diesel will you buy to run your generator to produce?

“Raw materials we used to pay between N350,000 and N400,000 to convey from Jos to Benin City in 2022 is about N800,000 as at today.

“Business is no longer lucrative. Profit margin has been swallowed by the high cost of production.

“Customers are not ready to buy at higher prices, manufacturers are just selling to stay afloat,” he said.

NECA calls for social dialogue to resolve issues

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) urged the NLC to use social dialogue to express its grievances over the challenges currently facing the country rather than resorting to strike.

The NECA Director-General, Mr Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the planned action of the union could further drag the economy into a deeper hole, leading to rapid business closure, job loss and other socio-economic challenges.

Oyerinde said: “While we affirm emphatically our displeasure with government’s loud silence and seeming inactivity in resolving the self-inflicted quagmire, the planned strike, at this time, could be counter-productive.

“We hereby urge the maximum use of the instrumentality of social dialogue in resolving all issues associated with Industrial and social-economic disputes.

“Actions by government and indeed social partners that could compromise the fragile economic state of the nation should be avoided.”

The NECA boss urged CBN and the Federal Government to immediately address the genuine concern of Nigerians in view of the ongoing socio-economic difficulties.

According to him, economic experts and analysts have stated that the loss in economic terms can be over N20 trillion as a result of loss of productive hours in bank halls and petrol stations.

He listed other reasons as shut-down of businesses due to low patronage, inability of employees to transit to work, challenges faced by households in meeting basic needs and the general distortion in general supply chain.

• My suspension act of cowardice, says ex-Senate President •Shema gives PDP 48 hours ultimatum, threatens to quit •Benue PDP passes vote of confidence on Ortom •Storm in Ondo chapter over next governorship poll •Court adjourns Fubara’s suit against party for judgment

By Yusuf Ali, Abuja, Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki/ Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi and Osagie Otabor, Akure

THE post-election crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be deepening following scathing reactions yesterday from former Senate President Pius Anyim and the immediate past governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema to their suspension by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

Anyim called his suspension disappointing and smacking of cowardice and arrogance.

Shema was more direct. He gave the party a 48 -hour ultimatum to rescind his suspension otherwise, he would call it quits, while the Benue State chapter of the party ignored the decision of the PDP NWC and  passed a vote of confidence on Governor Samuel Ortom.

Anyim,Shema, former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, Professor Dennis Ityavyar from Benue State and Dr.Aslam Aliyu from Zamfara State were all placed on suspension by the PDP on Thursday for alleged anti-party activities.

Ortom was referred to the party’s national disciplinary committee for a similar allegation.

Details of their particular offences were not given but it is believed the party’s action stemmed from what it saw as the contribution of the men to its poor performance in the just concluded elections.

Anyim,who had publicly endorsed the All Progressive Congress(APC) governorship candidate in his home state of Ebonyi ,Francis Nwifuru,said he was proud of his position.

He declared in a statement in Abakaliki that his endorsement of Nwifuru was in keeping with the charter of equity in the state which prescribes zoning and power rotation among the three zones.

He described the action of the NWC as disappointing and advised the committee  to concern itself with conducting  a thorough self-examination on why it  performed  poorly in the 2023 elections rather than seek to further divide the party by shifting blames.

“It smacks of arrogance for the NWC to put up a bold face instead of showing remorse and being sober for leading the party to such colossal loss in the 2023 general elections, thereby dashing the hopes and expectations of party members and indeed Nigerians,”he said.

 He added:”It is clear that arising from the leadership style of the NWC, many members, intentionally and proudly, worked against the party including members of the NWC.

“It is difficult to explain why the NWC is in a hurry to suspend leaders of the party without recourse to fair hearing, without which their action is null and void.”

Continuing, the  former Senate President  said it was a display of innate cowardice for the PDP NWC to choose soft targets to suspend and fear those that daily demonize it.

He recalled how the party leadership ignored his warnings on the danger  of handing the PDP  governorship ticket in Ebonyi to Mr Odii .

His words:”The NWC imposed a candidate from the sitting Governor’s zone, contrary to the zoning formula in the state. Every effort to let the NWC see reason fell on deaf ears.

“On the day the party’s presidential rally was held in Ebonyi State, I told Dr. (Iyorchia) Ayu that I was boycotting the rally because I cannot support the candidate they imposed on Ebonyi State.

“Dr. Ayu did nothing. He did not care even as I did not attend the Ebonyi rally.

“The NWC may wish to know that I am proud to have supported the APC gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State to win the election because that conforms to the equitable formula in Ebonyi State.

“It is, therefore, my expectation that the NWC should reverse itself in the interest of the party.”

PDP stakeholders in the state had, in 2022, zoned the governorship  to Abakaliki bloc which comprises Ebonyi Central and Ebonyi North zones.

 But Mr Odii, who hails from Ebonyi South zone, backed by some NWC members, hijacked the party structure and won the acrimonious primaries in the state.

Mr Anyim is also from Ebonyi South. Nwifuru won the governorship election.

Shema to PDP: You’ve 48 hrs to revoke my suspension or I quit

An angry   Ibrahim  Shema yesterday gave the PDP 48 hours to reverse his suspension failing which he will quit the party.

In addition,he told the party to rescind its “unlawful dissolution” of the Katsina State PDP Executive Committee and allow it complete its  tenure.

The former governor described the decisions of the NWC  on him and the state exco of the party as lacking  constitutional validity and a demonstration of contempt for democracy.

Shema ,in a letter to the PDP  national chairman,Dr Iyorchia Ayu,said the chairman would cause more monumental damage to the party with the way he is running its affairs.

In the letter entitled: “Re: Unlawful Dissolution of Katsina State Executive Committee, Appointment of a Caretaker Committee and my suspension,” Shema said:

“My attention has been drawn to a press statement made on Thursday 23” March 2023  (1″ of Ramadan 1444 AH) on above actions by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) as announced by its National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and aired in numerous media outlets: Print, Electronic and Social.

“The statement also went on to announce suspension of other party leaders in the country. It is pertinent to state categorically here that Chapter 10 of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Constitution (2017) as amended (Disciplinary Procedure) particularly Section 56 (6) (7) and Section 59 (3) were not adhered to in reaching these decisions which clearly demonstrate contempt for democracy.

“I was privileged to be Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy National Chairman One (1) and Chairman of its National Disciplinary Committee who amended and drafted the Disciplinary procedure as enshrined in our constitution today, in line with the principles of justice, fairness and equity.

“I am a member of National Executive Council (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and CAUCAUS of our party and know as of law and fact that the dissolution of a lawfully elected Katsina State Executive Committee cannot bear Constitutional validity as well as my suspension from the party.

“Let me also state in clear and unequivocal terms that I have been a loyal and dedicated party member for the past Twenty-Four years; I have never left or joined any other party despite all manner of challenges I faced and have worked under our party’s constitution and the law.

“I cannot therefore continue to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) under Dr. lyorchia Ayu’s laws who is duty bound to preserve, protect and defend our constitution within his limited powers. It is in the height of these developments that I make the following appeals,

“Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of unlawful dissolution of Katsina State duly elected Executive Committee and allow them to complete their tenure and disband the purported caretaker committee similar to which so many court decisions in the land have illegalized.

“Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of my suspension as member of our party within the next Forty-Eight (48) hours.

“Take notice that failure to effect these two changes above within Forty-Eight (48) hours, this letters serves as my formal and official withdrawal of my membership from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) effective from Saturday 25 March 2023.

“These actions have caused and will continue to cause monumental damage to our party if unchecked.

“My good wishes to you all.”

Benue  PDP passes vote of confidence on Ortom

The Benue State chapter of the party passed a vote of confidence on Ortom following  his referral by the NWC to the party’s national disciplinary committee

The State  Publicity Secretary, Bemgba Iortyom in a statement in Makurdi yesterday said the party in the state  viewed “with grave concern the action taken yesterday (Thursday) by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in referring Governor Samuel Ortom to its Disciplinary Committee to answer to charges of anti-party activities preferred against him.”

He added: “Benue PDP finds it difficult to understand the rationale by which anti-party activities are determined at the National Secretariat by the NWC such as sees one out of the G-5 Governors singled out for punitive action on ground of that offence, and what the procedure is for meting out punitive measures against such anti party activities where some persons including Professor Dennis Ityavyar having been suspended without facing any disciplinary Committee.

“The party feels strongly that in fulfilling its duty as a state chapter it must remind the NWC of the implications of its current action against Governor Ortom and others.

“Firstly, the action runs in contempt of a subsisting court injunction restraining PDP at all levels from taking any punitive action against the Benue State Governor pending the determination of a substantive suit which is lying before a court of competent jurisdiction on the matter.

“Secondly, going by the mood within PDP ranks in Benue, it is the expectation that the emphasis now will be on mending bonds of unity and internal cohesion which were badly damaged in the build-up to and during the 2023 elections leading to the huge losses recorded by the party at the polls against an evidently weaker opposition.

“Never in the entire history of PDP has the party fared so badly at an election in Benue State as witnessed in 2023, ironically at a time its National Chairman is from the state.

“PDP in Benue sees this latest action of the NWC against Governor Ortom as ill-timed, considering that evidence on ground point rather to the governor’s steadfastness in loyalty and love for PDP since his rejoining the party in 2018.

“Evidences of Governor Ortom’s loyalty and commitment to the growth and wellbeing of PDP in Benue are manifold as can be easily verified to include: “A solid performance track record in the governance of the state since rejoining PDP in 2018 with landmark achievements in security, roads infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, agriculture, commerce and industry, socio-cultural orientation upon which our great party derives credibility and solid standing before the people of Benue State.

“Stability in consensus building within party ranks through regular interactive meetings between the leadership and followership at all levels of the party in the state.

“Regular support for party activities as required and permitted under law such as saw PDP coast home comfortably to victory at the 2019 elections winning the governorship and a majority of the national and state assembly seats in the state.

“Total sponsorship of the party’s campaigns and electioneering efforts at the 2023 polls from the state down to the polling units without support from any quarters, and being able to produce a Senator, a House of Representatives member and 10 State Assembly members, this in the face of heavy militarisation of the Benue election environment by federal authorities under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The above enumerated and more have placed Governor Samuel Ortom on a platform of high esteem and honour in PDP, such as qualifies him for accolades, and not the dishonour that the NWC’s action represents on the governor.

“It is, therefore, a motion of the Benue PDP SWC that a Vote-of-Confidence be passed on Governor Samuel Ortom for his steadfast loyalty and selfless, sacrificial leadership to our great party, PDP.

“We equally call on the NWC to explore exhaustively options towards fostering reconciliation, unity, re-branding and repositioning of the party to recover its lost glory.”

Ortom’s ally,River State Governor Nyesom Wike vowed on Thursday that the Benue State governor would not appear before PDP national disciplinary committee.

“Referring a governor to your so-called national disciplinary committee is the height of all insults, and we will not take it,” he said.

“Therefore, be ready for whatever you see as far as this party is concerned.

“Governor Ortom, who has stood firm for the unity of this country, Governor Ortom who has come out openly to say that Nigeria must be one is not the type you will say you’ll refer to that your kangaroo committee.”

The Rivers governor said if anyone deserved to be suspended from the party, that person should be Ayu, whom he accused of contravening the PDP constitution on the zoning of elective and appointive offices.

Fayose,on his part, dismissed his suspension as a nullity and a joke taken too far, adding that the decision of the Ayu-led NWC lacked moral and constitutional backing.

Storm in Ondo chapter over next governorship poll

The Ondo State chapter of the PDP is embroiled in its own crisis  ahead of next year’s governorship election as some members plot the  removal of the  present leadership under Fatai Adams.

The aggrieved members are citing the poor showing  of the party in the recent elections in the state where it won only one House of Representatives and four State House of Assembly seats.

This is in contrast to its performance in 2019 when it won the presidential election, two senatorial seats and four House of Representatives seats. It was learnt that the move to remove the present leadership of the party was aimed at weakening Barr. Eyitayo Jegede’s influence in the party and stop him from contesting the party’s governorship  primaries.

The Council of Young Leaders in Peoples Democratic Party (CYLI-PDP) in a letter to National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, said the Ondo PDP has  become an intrepid, weak, ineffectual and highly fragmented association of strange bedfellows.

It expressed sadness at what it termed dismal and shameful performance in the last Presidential, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

Coordinator of the group, Mr. Wande Ajayi,  said the party’s state leadership has been unable to administer the party in such a way and manner to achieve its primary purpose of winning elections.

“We have squandered our goodwill with the good people of Ondo State and have become a third-rated political party within a very short period of time,”he said.

“It is noteworthy to state  that the Ondo State PDP under its current leadership, has failed to improve over its successes in the 2019 national elections, but has fallen dramatically to a level where it now plays catch-up to other parties. Needless to say that the outcome of the last presidential election suffices as evidence.

“We would like to use this medium to call on critical stakeholders and the National Secretariat of the PDP, to consider immediate actions to help remedy the lack of clear purposeful and committed leadership we are saddled with currently in the Ondo state chapter.

“While we understand the need for a post mortem of the total failure of the party in the last elections, we must emphasize the need to have an immediate overhaul of the party machineries, to enable us ample time to deal with preparations for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Ondo state.

“While acknowledging the daunting task of rebuilding confidence amongst loyal party members ahead of party, we insist that the current leadership of the party should step aside and give room for an unbiased caretaker committee while investigations be conducted to ascertain allegations of culpability on their part in the loss we have all suffered.”