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  • NYSC cert. saga: Court strikes out Shittu’s case against APC

    A Federal High Court, Ibadan, yesterday struck out a suit filed by Communications Minister  Adebayo Shittu  against the All Progressives Congress (APC) over his exclusion from the party’s governorship primaries on account of his inability to produce evidence of participating in the one-year mandatory National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    Justice P.I. Ajoku said the plaintiff failed to file the suit within the time stipulated by law.

    The APC had excluded his name owing to his non-participation in the NYSC scheme after graduating from the university.

    The minister subsequently approached the court alleging breach of his human rights.

    Ruling on the matter yesterday, Justice Ajoku said the case was not filed within 14 days against the provisions of Section 285 of the constitution that makes it mandatory for all pre-election matters to be filed within 14 days of occurrence.

    Read also: APC to tribunal: Atiku not Nigerian by birth

    He said:” Therefore, I will not bother going into the merit of the case.

    “Having failed to satisfy the dictates of the constitution, the matter is hereby struck out.”

    In his reaction to the ruling, counsel to the respondents, Mr. Adebayo Ojo, said that the law had taken its due course.

    “The judge acted by the 1999 constitution and it is a victory for democracy,” Ojo said.

    Shittu’s counsel, Mr Abdulhakeem Mustafa, (SAN) had tendered a 38-paragraph affidavit and 13 exhibits to support his claims.

    Shittu prayed the court to determine whether the action of his party to omit his name in the list of governorship  aspirants was lawful or a contravention of the constitution.

    Joined as respondent in the matter is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

  • APC challenges Bala Mohammed’s victory at tribunal

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State yesterday filed a petition at the Bauchi Election Petitions Tribunal, challenging the election of Senator Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor.

    Alhaji Uba Nana, the state’s chairman of the party, told journalists in Bauchi that the party was seeking justice from the tribunal.

    What we want is justice, as always, from the court, because we know that the court will do just that,” he said.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Mohammed winner of the governorship poll in the state after he polled 515,113 votes to defeat the incumbent, Mohammed Abubakar of the APC, who scored 500,625 votes.

    Abubakar said he decided to approach the tribunal after a directive from APC.

    He said: “Just like I said, I am an obedient member of the national body of the party. It is because of this that all these three places that I went to, each one of them said the APC will file a suit in court to challenge the governorship election results in the state.

    “As an obedient member, I accepted to go with that decision. Everyone knows that when the results of the election were announced, I conceded defeat. But I contested on the ticket of the party and the party has refused to accept the outcome,” he said

    The governor revealed that APC has engaged the services of four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) to challenge the outcome of the election at the tribunal, which is expected to commence sitting on April 15.

    But in a swift reaction, the PDP said the petition was only designed to waste government resources.

    The party said it was confident of having its victory upheld by the tribunal.

    The State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Zainabari Yaya, told reporters that it was ridiculous for the governor to allege that he was rigged out when he “was the one with incumbency power and has control of security agents.”

    “Just like we won the case filed by the governor at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the results of Tafawa Balewa Local Government, we will win again in the tribunal.

    “We are ready to defend our mandate, and over 50 independent lawyers have indicated interest to defend us in any court “.

  • UPDATED: Atiku not Nigerian by birth, APC tells tribunal

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has argued that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had no candidate in the last presidential election.

    The APC contended that by fielding Atiku Abubaka “a non-Nigerian by birth” as it’s candidate, the PDP cannot claim to have had a candidate in the last presidential election.

    The party argued that, by virtue of his not being a Nigerian by birth, Abubakar, a former Vice President, was not qualified to have contested the last presidential election.

    It contended that by Section 131(a) of the Constitution, a person must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth to be qualified to contest for the office of the President of the country.

    The party noted that Abubakar was born on November 25, 1946 in Jada, now Adamawa State, then in Northern Cameroon, “and is, therefore, a citizen of Cameroon.”

    APC made the argument in it reply to the petition filed by Abubakar and the PDP before the presidential election petition tribunal in Abuja.

    It said Abubakar (listed as 1st petitioner in the petition) “had no right to be voted for and returned in the election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on Saturday 23” February, 2019 having regard to the clear provision of Section 131(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN) 1999 as amended, which unequivocally stipulates inter alia, that for a person to be qualified for election to the office of President, he must be a citizen of Nigeria by birth.

    “The 1st petitioner is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth and ought not to have even been allowed in the first place, to contest the election.

    “From available records, The l“ petitioner was born on the 2.5” November, 1946 in Jada, Adamawa, in Northern Cameroon and Is, therefore, a citizen of Cameroon.

    “His father was Garba Atlku Abdulkadlr who died In December, 1957. Prior to 1919 Cameroon was being administered by Germany.

    “But following the defeat of Germany In World War I which ended In 7918, Cameroon became a League of Nations mandate territory which was split Into French Cameroons and British Cameroons In 7919.

    “Brltlsh Cameroons was administered by the British from neighbouring Nigeria. In 1961, a plebiscite was held in British Cameroons to determine whether the people preferred to stay in Cameroon or align with Nigeria.

    “While Northern Cameroon preferred a union with Nigeria, Southern Cameroon chose alignment with the mother country.

    “The transition took place on June 1, 1961. It was as a result of that plebiscite that Northern Cameroon, which included Adamawa, became a part of Nigeria and by derivation, the 1” petitioner became a citizen of Nigeria, but not by birth.

    “The 1″ petitioner, therefore, contrary to the assertion in paragraph 1 of their petition, had no right to be voted for as a candidate in the election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria held on 23rd February, 2019 across Nigeria,” the party said.

    It added that, by reason of Abubakar not having qualified to contest the election, all votes purportedly cast for the petitioners at the 23″ February, 2019 election and as subsequently declared by INEC  on the 27th of February 2019, are wasted votes.

    In a preliminary objection raised by the party, the APC contended that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to countenance greater portion of the petition by the Abubakar and his party on the grounds that the claim contained therein, which relates to the challenge of the qualification of its candidate (Muhammadu Burai) was statute barred.

    It added that by the provision of section 31(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act and Section 285(9) of the Constitution, the election tribunal was not the appropriate forum to litigate such claim.

    Read Also: Govt warns Atiku against self-help

    The APC noted that before the election, INEC posted on its notice boards personal information of candidate for the public to see. It argued that since the petitioners did not challenge what they felt was wrong in Buhari’s qualification at the pre-election state, they cannot raise the issues now.

    It said: “The petitioners failed and or neglected to challenge the validity of the 2nd respondent’s claim regarding his education qualification as contained in the Form CF001 submitted to INEC before the election.

    “The petitioners have waived their right (If any) to challenge the propriety of the information contained in the INEC Form CF001 duly submitted to INEC.”

    The APC, while asserting its victory at the election, noted that by the election results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC and as contained in its (INEC’s) website, the PDP and its candidate did not win the election as claimed by the petitioners.

    As against the claim by the petitioners that they had access to INEC’s website, the APC said, on its part, it never had access to INEC website at any time.

    The party denied all the allegations raised by the petitioners and faulted the allegations made against Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, service chiefs, military personnel and other security personnel, who were not made parties to the petition.

    It faulted the competence of the entire petition and prayed the tribunal to dismiss it for being incompetent.

    The APC stated that “The petition discloses no reasonable cause of action or any cause of action at all;

    It argued that allegations in a substantial portion of the petition “are generic, vague, unpreferable, non-specific, nebulous, bogus, imprecise, speculative and at large contrary to the mandatory provisions of paragraph 4(1) (d) of the 1th Schedule to the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended).

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  • APC finally files petition against PDP’s victory in Bauchi

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bauchi State on Friday filed a petition at the Election Petition Tribunal, challenging the victory of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Sen Bala Mohammed at the last gubernatorial poll.

    According to its chairman in the state, Uba Ahmed Nana, Gov Abubakar, the gubernatorial candidate of the party at the last governorship election, is seeking justice from the tribunal.

    “We are here to file a suit on behalf of the APC challenging the results of the governorship election in Bauchi State held some weeks ago.

    “What we want is Justice, as always from the Court because we know that the Court will do just that,” he said.

    It would be recalled that Governor Abubakar had backed down on his earlier decision to concede defeat following declaration of Bala Mohammed as the Governor-elect.

    The governor had said after due consultations with the national leadership of the APC, the party has agreed to go to court to reclaim his mandate from the PDP.

    He said it was a decision from the party hierarchy.

    Abubakar said: “The party has concluded its plans and has hired four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to file this suit in court in a short while from now.”

    But in a swift reaction, the state chapter of the PDP alleged the litigation initiated by the outgoing governor was only meant to waste government resources.

    It vowed court will validate its victory at the last governorship election.

    The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Zainabari Yaya in an interview with newsmen, said it was ridiculous for the governor to allege that he was rigged out when he was the one with incumbency power and control of security agents.

    “Just like we won the case filed by the governor at federal high court in Abuja against the results of Tafawa Balewa local government, we will win again in tribunal.

    “We are ready to defend our mandate and over 50 independent lawyers have indicated interest to defend us in any court,” he said

  • Fayemi’s new cabinet is robust, says Ondo APC

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) Ondo State on Friday lauded the successful inauguration of his commissioners and other ranks of political office holders in Ekiti State.

    The party said the step was commendable especially for shortlisting a set of politicians and technocrats of high integrity to serve the state.

    A statement by the Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro noted that the coming on board of new commissioners in a record time, confirmed the commitment of Fayemi as a true democratic to regain the lost glory of Ekiti State.

    The statement said” Everyone can attest to your faithfulness to develop your home state socially and economically and to evolve a lasting solution to its political problems.

    Read Also: Fayemi names Special Assistants, DGs, Board members

    ” With your past history of the struggle to achieve an inclusive and a democratic constitution, we shall continue to work with you and support the people and the government in an effort to bring honour and pride to Ekiti State”.

    Ondo APC also acknowledged Fayemi’s sterling performance since assumption of office as noteworthy and praiseworthy, urging him not to relent.

    It said” Our party’s victory in Ekiti State in the last poll is an affirmation of the level of confidence the Ekiti people repose in you. It is a testimony to the high level of hope your people placed on you for the redemption of the lost glory of Ekiti State.

  • APC to Ndume: respect party supremacy

    The Yobe Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised Sen. Ali Ndume (Borno-APC), to respect supremacy of the party and avoid placing personal interest above collective interest.

    Alhaji Abubakar Bakabe, the state’s secretary of the party, disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Damaturu.

    “The interest of the party supersedes all other interests,” Bakabe said.

    He cautioned the lawmaker against working with the opposition to ridicule the party.

    “Ndume should avoid the pitfalls of the Bukola Saraki’s Senate presidency, this must not be repeated in the interest of the party, Nigeria and democracy,” he said.

    Read Also: My visit to Osinbajo not on Senate President, says Ndume

    He commended returning and newly elected senators for identifying with the position of the party and presidency on the proposed leadership of the National Assembly.

    “The state chapter of APC expresses optimism that the Borno senator will remain loyal to the party, its leadership and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “As a party, we can not afford to accommodate any sabotage and a divided house after the bitter experience of the last four years.

    “The endorsement of Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan, for Senate President will provide the required leadership and coordination for the APC led administration to effectively execute its policies and programmes for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “Lawan will run an inclusive leadership that will give every Nigerian a true sense of belonging and fulfilment, he has the required experience, knowledge and administrative skills for the senate to reclaim its glory as a progressive arm of government,” he said.

  • PDP accuses APC, Presidency of plots against Atiku

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Presidency of plots to frame up its presidential candidate in the February 23 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The opposition party however said no amount of fabrications, attempt at set-up as well as veiled and open threats by the APC)-led Federal Government can stop Atiku from reclaiming his mandate at the tribunal.

    Atiku, who lost the election to incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, has gone to court to challenge the President’s re-election.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party rejected a declaration by the  Presidency that Atiku Abubakar is “lucky to be walking free”,.

    It described the statement as inciting, adding that it has brought to the fore the unwholesome intention of the APC-led administration against Atiku Abubakar for seeking to retrieve his “stolen mandate” at the court.

    The PDP further noted what it termed series of orchestrated calumny against Atiku Abubakar and the PDP by agents of the Federal Government, officials of the Presidency and the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO).

    The main opposition party alleged well-coordinated plots against Atiku, including a resort to unfounded claims of links with a foreign lobby group.

    This, the PDP said, was part of attempts to frame Atiku up, cause tension and ultimately derail the recovery of the “stolen mandate” at the presidential election tribunal.

    “Such orchestration are also targeted at instilling fear, cause apprehension in the citizenry and create opening to further suppress genuine public opinion and the course of justice in the quest by Atiku Abubakar and the PDP to restore the will of the people.

    “Part of the motive is to use lies, fabrications, threats and sponsoring of Atiku campaign posters to portray Atiku Abubakar and the PDP as being desperate and ready to subvert the rules in the pursuit of our mandate; and by so doing discredit our candidate in the eyes of the judiciary and the public in general.

    “This explains why agents of the APC-led government fabricated and pushed into the public space, bogus and laughable claims that Atiku Abubakar paid $30,000 to a U.S. lobby group to assist in the quest to reclaim our mandate only for the Federal Government and the Presidency to turn around to feast on the fabrications with threats against Atiku Abubakar.

    “The PDP calls on Nigerians to take copious note of threats by the Presidency through the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, to jail Atiku Abubakar based on trumped up allegations, while describing him as “one who is lucky to be walking free”.

    “Nigerians now know who to hold responsible should any harm come to Atiku Abubakar, his family or any member of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation (PPCO) in the course of the pursuit of the mandate at the tribunal.

    “Moreover, it is instructive to state that the PDP and Atiku Abubakar do not need any foreign lobby group to prove our case before the tribunal as Nigerians themselves have been at the forefront of this pursuit, especially with our overwhelming evidence before the court.

    “The PDP therefore cautions the APC-led Federal Government to allow the tribunal to judiciously carry out its responsibilities without let or hindrance as well as stop their unrelenting plots to overheat the system and derail the course of justice as such will all come to naught”, the statement added.

     

  • ‘Rebel’ lawmakers who won’t return

    The final results of the 2019 general elections have shown that defections of some All Progressives Congress (APC) federal lawmakers to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had no effect on the ruling party’s electoral fortune. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines how some of the defectors fared in the election.

    Majority of senators and members of the House of Representatives who dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections have failed in their bid to return to the 9th National Assembly.

    Some of them were defeated at the poll by APC candidates. They include Senate President Bukola Saraki, Senators Suleiman Nazif, Monsurat Sunmonu, Barnabas Gemade, Abdul Azeez Murtala Nyako, Rafiu Salami and Ubale Shittu. Those that didn’t seek re-election include Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso, Isa Misau and Usman Nafada.

    Those in the House of Representatives that contested on the platform of the PDP and lost include Aminu Shagari and Razaq Atunwa. Other members that defected along with them were Sani Rano, Ali Madoki, Hassan Saleh, Shehu Usman, Danburam Nuhu Abubakar, Tope Olayinka, Ahman Pategi, Samuel Udende, Abubakar Kannike, Abdu Samad Dasuki and Bode Ayorinde.

    Justifying their defection in July 2018, the lawmakers said the decision was taken after due consultation with their constituents and stakeholders in their constituencies, in proper recognition of Section 61(1) (d) of the 1999 Constitution, and for the fact that the APC then was factionalised.

    In actual fact, they were aggrieved PDP members that formed the so-called ‘new PDP’ in 2014 and later merged with the APC towards the build-up to the 2015 general elections. Again in 2018, they contrived another crisis and formed what they called the ‘reformed APC’ to create the impression that there was crisis within the party. Analysts said they were forced to return to their former political party because they had failed to hijack the APC machinery. The defection did not affect APC status, as it maintained majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

     

    Saraki

    At a meeting held with Kwara PDP stakeholders in August 2018, Saraki predicted that his new party would win the 2019 presidential election. He said: “I am confident that PDP would emerge victorious at all levels in Kwara State. The victory of PDP at both federal and state levels would be beneficial to all Nigerians.” He added that the victory would wipe off the challenges that confronted Nigerians under the Muhammadu Buhari administration. “If we emerge at the federal level, all of us will be the beneficiaries. With your support we will win the state,” he said.

    But eight months after, his prediction fell on his face. Saraki lost his re-election bid. He was defeated by the APC senatorial candidate Alhaji Ibrahim Oloriegbe who polled 123, 828 votes against Saraki’s 68,994. Rather than accept defeat Saraki said he lost to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the military.

    A political observer in Kwara State, Dr Abubakar Malik, said Saraki’s defeat was not by accident. He said: “Saraki’s game is up. He is reaping what he sowed. Remember how he emerged as Senate President. He stabbed the party at the back. He connived with the PDP to frustrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s programmes and policies. The budgets sent to the National Assembly were not passed as at when due. List of government nominees were not approved months after they were sent to the Senate.  The results of elections in Kwara State has nailed political coffin of Saraki.”

     

    Danbaba

    Abdullahi Danbaba represents Sokoto South Senatorial District. He was elected on the platform of APC in 2015, but defected to the PDP in 2018. He was very critical of the Buhari administration. His words: “The APC-led Federal Government has derailed from its mandate and failed to meet the yearnings of Nigerians. The APC has failed to address the three core issues facing the country which are those of security, economy and corruption for which it was voted into power in 2015.” The senator said he opted to leave the APC because of lack of equity, justice and fairness to all members.

    Danbaba had boasted that the defectors would not regret dumping the APC for the PDP. He expressed optimism that the PDP would return as the nation’s ruling party in 2019. He was one of the strong supporters of Saraki when the APC was calling for the Senate President’s resignation, after his defection from the APC to the PDP.

    His dream that the PDP would bounce back as ruling party was not fulfilled, as the opposition party lost the 2019 presidential election to the APC.  He boasted that the PDP would win 10 northern states in the general elections. Danbaba also failed to realise his ambition to return to the Senate. He lost the senatorial election to the APC candidate, Shehu Tambuwal, who scored 134,224 votes to Danbaba’s 112,546 votes.

     

    Nazif

    He was elected on the platform of the APC to represent Bauchi North Senatorial District in 2015. He was among the 14 senators that dumped the APC in 2018. He is the Chairman at Employment, Labour and Productivity Committee. Born in 1970, he is one of the youngest senators in the National Assembly.

    Nazif belongs to the Abuja-based political group that was determined to unseat Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar. With the result of the supplementary election released by INEC, Abubakar lost to the PDP governorship candidate, Bala Muhammed.

    However, Nazif was not lucky in his bid to return to the 9th Senate on the platform of the PDP. He came third in the contest won by Alhaji Muhammed Bukachuwa of the APC who polled 110,631 votes. Nazif garnered 56,379 votes.

     

    Shittu

    Senator Ubale Shittu represents Jigawa North East Senatorial District. His defection from the APC to the PDP was opposed by his constituents. They protested and told him that he was on his own. Shittu had vowed before his defection that he would work to unseat the state Governor Abubakar Badaru. He premised his defection on the failure of APC government to fulfil its promise.

    He alleged Badaru of poor performance. According to him, “Governor Badaru deceived my senatorial district because since he came on board he didn’t commission a single project in Hadejia emirate. All the projects in the district were inherited from previous regimes.

    Shittu who vowed to unseat the governor and the APC controlled Federal government was instead stopped from returning to the 9th Assembly. He lost the senatorial election to Ibrahim Hassan of APC who scored 184,185. Shittu got 103, 039 votes.

    Misau

    The senator representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Isa Misau had boasted that he didn’t need the APC to win election. He claimed that despite his defection from the ruling party to the PDP, his popularity has not been affected. Explaining why he defected, he said: “The APC’s lack of internal democracy and justice for all members were some of the reasons that informed my decision to quit the ruling party.

    “I was a founding member of the APC, but we and our supporters were short changed in the local and state congresses of the party. Our people were denied forms and election officials were hidden from us. So the injustice in the APC is worse than what we accused the PDP of in the past. In APC, if you are maltreated, you have nowhere to channel your grievances. Everybody knows there is discipline in the PDP. If you are treated unfairly you know where to report your grievances and you will be heard.”

    Though Misau didn’t get PDP’s ticket to contest, the APC candidate, Mr Haliru Jiga won the Bauchi Central senatorial seat. He polled 66,024 to defeat Bappa Aliyu of the PDP who scored 57, 069. Thus, Misau’s popularity failed to see Aliyu through.

     

    Atunwa

    Rasaq Atunwa represents Asa/Ilorin West Federal Constituency, Kwara State in the House of Representatives. He is a disciple of Saraki. He had benefitted immensely from being loyal to Saraki leadership. His political career started in 2005 when Saraki appointed him as a commissioner; in 2011, he was elected member of Kwara House of Assembly and became Speaker of the House. In 2015, he was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of APC. He followed his political godfather to PDP in 2018.

    He called President Buhari a tyrant while commenting on the Supreme Court judgment which cleared Saraki of wrong asset declaration. Atunwa said “the Supreme Court has just declared that the action of the tyrant in harassing Saraki with CCT is unlawful.” He also berated the performance of the Buhari administration which he said was responsible for defection of some federal lawmakers from the APC to the PDP.

    Atunwa who contested 2019 Kwara governorship election on PDP’s ticket lost to APC candidate, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq.

     

    Muhammed

    Zakari Muhammed is a member of the House of Representatives from Kwara North. He has had longstanding political ties with Saraki, a relationship that has advanced the political career of Muhammed. In Baruten Local Government where he hails from, a prominent politician said Muhammed’s blind loyalty to Saraki was responsible for the former’s meteoric rise within the Saraki political camp. He has been touted as a possible governorship candidate, if Saraki decides that power should be zoned to Kwara North.

    Though Muhammed didn’t seek re-election but the APC won his seat. The APC candidate, Malam Mohammed Bio scored 37,914 to defeat Alhaji Abubakar Musa of the PDP with 14,476 votes.

     

  • Youth leader to varsity students: key into Fed Govt’s job schemes

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) youth leader in the Southeast, Hon Olisaemeka Onyeka has urged students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) to key into the empowerment programmes of the federal government.

    He said if they do that, it would take their minds away from joining cult activities and other vices in the society.

    Onyeka was speaking in Awka, the Anambra State capital, when the students from the Law faculty of the institution presented him with an award of excellence.

    He listed some of the empowerment programmes of the APC government going on right now for them to choose from, instead of making themselves willing tools of the devil

    The president of the Law students association of NAU, Mark Anthony Ezeoha, said the recognition was for his immense contributions not only to the institution, but to the society.

    While presenting the plaque to the APC Southeast leader, the students used the forum to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari on his victory during the last presidential election in the country.

    The students urged Buhari to increase allocation to tertiary institutions in the country, while also improving on the welfare of lecturers.

    In his response, the APC youth leader, commended them for remembering hard work, while urging them to key into the youth Empowerment programmes created by the Buhari administration.

    Onyeka, equally told them that fighting crime was one of the cardinal points of the Buhari’s administration, adding that they should take off their minds from crime and criminal activities.

    He told them to support the present government of APC, noting that the previous administrations wasted the country’s resources on frivolities.

  • APC legal team set to defend Ganduje’s election victory — spokesman

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) legal team in Kano State on Wednesday expressed its readiness to defend the victory of Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ganduje was declared winner of the March 23 supplementary election held in the state.

    Mr Ma”aruf Mohammed-Yakasai, A member and spokesman of the legal team, made the APC’s position known while addressing a news conference in Kano on Wednesday.

    He said the legal team found it necessary to explain its position in respect of the prayer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) granted by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to inspect election materials conducted in the state.

    “As a member of the legal team of the APC and spokesman of the Team, we received a copy of an order in respect of the permission granted to the PDP to inspect the election materials, which is in order.

    Read also: On APC’s near fall in Kano

    “The court served us with the copy of the order and as the court directed, we will be there to observe and be part of the process,” he said.

    According to him, the legal team is prepared to defend the victory of Ganduje before the Tribunal which began preliminary sitting on Tuesday.

    He stressed that the APC and Governor Ganduje were ready to defend the mandate given to them by the people of the state.

    According to him, the candidate of the PDP, Abba Kabir-Yusuf had no substance to pose any threat to the victory of Ganduje.

    NAN reports that the Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Halima Shamaki had on Tuesday ordered INEC to allow PDP to inspect the election materials conducted for governorship election in the state. (NAN)