The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gana

  • Gana  throws weight behind maiden X-Kart Series

    Gana  throws weight behind maiden X-Kart Series

    The growing Motorsports industry in Nigeria got a kick after Nigeria’s international Kart racer, Phillip Gana , announced his readiness to feature and also sponsor the few drivers at X-Kart Series in Ogun State to be hosted to be at the Work and Play Arena on Sagamu-Abeokuta Express Way.

    President of the Work and Play group, Ade Ojuoko, announced the celebrated racer’s inclusion when fleshing out plans for the earlier announced X-Kart Series later in February.

     “I guess it is a good thing that the Motorsports community is generating traction to have attracted the interest of Phillip Gana. As one of the front runners in the promotion of the sports, we believe this will further our developmental plans in several ways,” he said.

    Work and Play partnered with Metallic Horses to host an inaugural event at the purpose-built race track along Sagamu Express road on December 16, 2023, which paved the way for the series lined up for February and March of 2024.

    Read Also: Appeal Court upholds Gana’s election

    Ojuoko also informed that Phillip has hinted that his team will be drawn from made up of teenage drivers between the ages of 14 to 19.

     “The X-Kart series is essentially a youth-driven sport and Gana will be featuring a largely teenage team and that also leaves the other competitors in the coming series challenged.”

    He confirmed that the off-road series that will also have its Ondo version in March is being checked on all sides for safety.

     “From our gears to the building of the karts, safety is our first consideration. There are also other safety protocols that include the Federal Road Safety Commission’s checks on the facilities and all Karts, and the inclusion of first aid officials at all event venues.”

    He maintained that the X-Kart Series will deepen interest in the sport and further corporate support as well. He also mentioned that, more information on how different X-Kart groups can register for the event would be made public soonest.

  • Appeal Court upholds Gana’s election

    Appeal Court upholds Gana’s election

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Hon. Joshua Audu Gana of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency (Niger State) in the House of Representatives.

    The appellate court set aside an earlier judgment of the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, delivered on September 11, which nullified Gana’s election.

    The tribunal had, in its judgment, voided the certificate of return issued to Gana by INEC and ordered for supplementary elections in the Lavun/Mokwa/Edati Federal Constituency.

    Read Also; Air Peace connects Jeddah

    However, in a unanimous on Wednesday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal upheld the argument by lawyer to Gana, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), that the tribunal was wrong to have held in favour of the petitions – Abdullahi Usman Gbatamagi and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Court of Appeal held that Gbatamagi and the APC did not comply with the mandatory provisions of Paragraph 4 (5) of the 1st Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022, when they failed to file their witness written statement on oath within the time stipulated for filing the petition.

    It added that the evidence of their first witness (PW1) and all documents tendered by him, relied on by the tribunal in giving judgment in favour of the 1st and 2nd (Usman and the APC), were inadmissible.

    Gana is the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power at the Federal House of Representatives.

    The appellate court further held that the tribunal erred in law when it held that Gbatamagi and the APC adduced sufficient evidence in prove of their petition.

    The Court of Appeal held that the appeal filed by Gana, with number: CA/ABJ/EP/HR/59/2023 was meritorious and proceeded to allow it.

  • Gana to Supreme Court: declare me SDP’s presidential candidate

    •Ex-minister’s appeal for March 11

    Despite the conclusion of this year’s presidential election, former Information Minister Jerry Gana has insisted on continuation of proceedings in his appeal in which he prays the Supreme Court to declare him the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for the poll.

    Gana’s appeal is against the January 24, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja, which named a former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke as the SDP’s validly nominated presidential candidate for the election, which held on February 23.

    A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Abdul Aboki had, in its unanimous judgment of January 24, set aside the December 14, 2018 judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which declared Gana the party’s candidate.

    In his appeal, the ex-Information Minister wants the Supreme Court to, among others, name him the presidential candidate in view of the zoning formula contained in SDP’s constitution.

    Gana is contending that, though he came second in the party’s primary election for the nomination of its presidential candidate, he was qualified to become the candidate because, by the party’s zoning formula, its chairman and presidential candidate cannot come from the same part of the country.

    Respondents to the appeal are the SDP; its National Chairman, the National Secretary; the party’s Presidential Screening Panel/ Deputy National Chairman, South, Duke and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    When the appeal was called yesterday, Gana’s lawyer, Pius Akubo (SAN), moved his client’s application for leave to appeal on grounds of mixed law and facts.

    Respondents’ lawyers, including Mhir Mson (for INEC), did not oppose the application, following which a five-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour, granted it.

    The court asked the respondents to promptly file their briefs and adjourned to March 11 for hearing.

    Gana, who was dressed in blue agbada, was in court yesterday, accompanied by a handful of supporters.

     

  • SDP crisis: I can’t be Duke’s running mate – Gana

    The embattled former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana on Saturday disclosed that he is in the Social Democratic Party (SDP), to win the forthcoming 2019 presidential election and not to be running mate to former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke. Gana, at the unveiling of his campaign programme tagged ‘SWIFT’ said the leadership of SDP would not want to take the decision of him accepting to become running mate to Duke, if the party wants to win election.

    The development is following the judgment of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT), high Court in Maitama a week ago declaring Jerry Gana, the winner of the presidential primary election of the SDP conducted on October 6 this year. The party had declared a former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, winner of the election and its flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election. Gana who was not satisfied with the outcome of the primary went to court seeking to be declared the winner.

    ”I do not mind at all but, the party will definitely want a strategy, that is a winning strategy. Let us be very realistic the South South have just concluded a turn of the presidency during former President Goodluck Jonathan, if Nigerians are to be real they will know that it is too soon to have a presidential candidate running for an election from that zone. The other zones of Nigeria would also want to have the vote, so if you want to win election the party will not do that,” he said.

  • Kaduna Businessman Gana loses breach of fundamental rights case

    A Kaduna High Court has struck out a case of alleged breach of fundamental rights brought before it by a business man, Alhaji Umaru Gana and  Environmental Engineering Construction Nig. Ltd.
    Gana and the Company were challenging their invitation by the Police following a case of criminal Breach of trust, cheating and issuance of dud cheques lodged against them by Wing Comdr. Tukur Lawan Fage
    Gana was said to have issued dud cheques with the face value of N30,000,000 and N77,500.000 to Gadawur Global Investment Ltd for executed contract.
    In his affidavit, Gana said the contract over which the cheques were issued was purely civil in nature devoid of crime and that his life was under a serious threat and his fundamental right about to be violated by the Police at the instance of the respondents including those he issued the dud cheques.
    But counsel to the Respondents, Barrister, Kabir Mohammed told the Court that the application by Gana challenging the invitation was brought with the aim of shielding from Prosecution and therefore urged the Court to refuse the application.
    He stated that not every detention that fundamental right of a citizen is breached and that the Applicants were only invited by the Police and not arrested.
    In the ruling, Justice E.Y. B Lolo said the law as it stands today is that only a singular person can apply for the enforcement of their right and not multiple persons.
    The Judge also noted that the 2nd Applicant in the matter is a limited Company adding that he was puzzled by that.
    “I am not aware that in the enforcement of fundamental rights a juristic person is envisaged to possess those rights by the framers of the said law”.
    For this reason therefore, the Judge ruled that the application as constituted is incompetent and accordingly struck out.
    However, counsel to the Applicants, Barrister I.H Mohammed said they would appeal against the ruling.
    Other Respondents were Wing Commander Tukur Lawan Fage rtd, Abayomi Balogun, Commissioner of Police.

  • Jonathan, Gana, others pay tributes to Dickson’s mother

    FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan and a former  Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana were among important personalities, who paid glowing tributes to the late Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson. Others were Chairman of the Bayelsa State  Council òf Traditional  Rulers, King Alfred Diete Spiff and a  former Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lauretta Mallam, Jonathan, Gana, Diete Spiff and others said that the late Governor Seriake Dickson’s mother left behind a legacy of resilience, contentment, uprightness, humility, hard work and selfless service  to mankind and God.

    They extolled the sterling qualities of deceased  on Thursday night while paying tributes during a service of songs held in her honour at the  state Ecumenical Centre,  Igbogene, Yenagoa. They said Madam Goldcoast stood for the place of education as a veritable platform for people to succeed in life. Jonathan  said Mama Gogo, as she was fondly called, was diligent in the service of the Lord, and demonstrated exceptional motherly love as captured in the tribute by her daughter-In-law, Dr. Mrs Rachel Dickson.

    He said that only a Godfearing lover of humanity would give the support Mrs. Goldcoast gave to her daughter in-law as captured in the emotional tribute by the Bayelsa First Lady. Rachael gave a detailed account of how Ma GoldCoast Dickson prayed with her, encouraged her for the 15 years that she battled infertility before the coming of the quadruplets.

    She described Mama Goldcoast  as a jewel of inestimable  value, who did not differentiate between her and her biological daughters. In his tribute,  Gana said that Mama Goldcoast lived an exemplary  life, worthy of emulation as demonstrated by the achievements and integrity of the children she raised. He described  her as a woman of integrity  and lover of children who had nurtured her children  and all those who came her way to achieve  successes in life.

    Also King Diete Spiff, one time  Military  Administrator of Bayelsa State, Col. Paul Edor Obi (Retd) and former Minister of State for Environment, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe described Mama Gogo as a “golden Goldcoast” whose inspiration manifested in Governor Dickson’s approach to governance. They said Mama Goldcoast fought a good cause, stressing that, it is not how long but how well one lived that counts and urged people to emulate her lifestyle by living a worthy  Christian life.

    In a brief exhortation, Bishop God-Do-well Avwomakpa said death is an inevitable end for all mortals adding that it was expedient for people to give their lives to God. Responding, Governor Dickson expressed  gratitude  to Bayelsans, various leaders across the country, friends and other sympathisers who had in one way or the other shown concern and support to him and the Dickson family over the demise of his mother.

    Dickson restated that the remains of his mother would lie-in-state in Toru Orua for a traditional  and Christian all night wake after which she would be interred in her hometown, Toru-Angiama, Delta State. Other family  members who paid tributes include, the grand daughter of Mama Goldcoast,  Miss Peikumo Dickson, son-inlaw, Mr. Wisdom Fafi, saying that her legacies would remain indelible. Former Deputy  Senate President,  Senator Ibrahim Mantu and former Deputy Governor  of  Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari also graced the event.

  • Gana seeks Donald Duke’s nullification as SDP candidate

    FORMER Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana has approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, seeking Donald Duke’s nullification  as Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) presidential candidate.

    They argued that the process that produced the party’s flag bearer violated the SDP constitution.

    Duke,  a former Cross River Governor, polled 812 votes to defeat his closed rival, Prof. Gana, who polled 611 votes at the party’s national convention held at Old Parade Ground, Abuja, on October 7.

    The matter, which was slated for mentioning yesterday, was stalled due to the indisposition of the judge, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, owing to ill health.

    Read also: Gana loses out as SDP affirms Duke as presidential candidate

    However, the claimant, Prof. Gana, who was present in court yesterday, was represented in the proceeding by Pius Akubo (SAN), J.A. Abraham (SAN), Joshua Musa (SAN) and Innocent Daagba, among others.

    The first to fifth defendants were represented by Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN). No counsel announced appearance for the sixth defendant, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Akubo informed the court that the counsel had conferred and agreed that a short adjournment be granted to allow the judge recover fully and to enable the claimant counsel respond to the processes served on him by the defendant’s counsel last Friday.

    The parties agreed to come back on November 13 for hearing.

  • Gana loses out as SDP affirms Duke as presidential candidate

    The Social Democratic Party(SDP) yesterday affirmed ex-Governor Donald Duke as its presidential candidate.

    It said Duke was validly nominated at the party’s October 6 national convention and his name already submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The party said ex-Minister of Information  Prof. Jerry Gana congratulated, hugged and wished Duke well after the shadow election.

    Party’s Media and Publicity Director Yemi Akinbode in a statement yesterday “noted” the statement by Dr. Ike Neliaku, the Consultant to the Prof Jerry Gana’s campaign group but disagreed with the references to the SDP Constitution as “premature and misplaced” and “frowns” at recent misrepresentations by his statements that  Southsouth candidates were barred from participating in the primary.

    The party said it would not take up issues with Gana but will inform Nigerians how Duke emerged.

    “The current cry to ‘screen him out’ or ‘disqualify him’ was not raised during the process adding that Duke emerged through a transparent process and delegates were never directed to vote for any presidential aspirant.

    The statement added: “There were two aspirants from the South-South Zone and three aspirants from the North Central Zone. His Excellency, Donald Duke was the first person to submit the nomination form at a widely publicised event and no one ever protested until he won the primary.

    “All the four other contestants including Prof. Gana actively participated in all the preliminary and final stages of the presidential primary and SDP did not issue any statement directing its members to vote for or against any presidential aspirant from any particular geographic zone.

    “The party understands that Gana was very disappointed by the outcome of the primary and sent a high-ranking delegation headed by National Chairman Chief Olu Falae to visit and explain to him, to assuage his feelings and appreciate his contributions to the party.

    “The SDP and its leaders duly appreciate the significant contributions that the elder statesman Gana has put to the development of the party since he joined six months ago.

    “Above all, they had privately and publicly appreciated the tremendous contributions that he has made to Nigeria over the last 45 years.”

  • Gana: I won’t tolerate stealing as President

    THE Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential Aspirant, Prof Jerry Gana, has promised to deal decisively with any corrupt OFFICIAL, if elected President next year.

    Addressing reporters in Minna, the Niger State capital, after welcoming delegates of The Standing Committee meeting of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Gana pledged that his administration will not tolerate or shield any corrupt official.

    He said: “I will operate a transparent government. I have served the nation in different capacities without any stain. In my government, you must not steal; if you steal, I will deal with you firmly and decisively because the moral conviction will be there, that is leadership by example. We can do it because the people of SDP have demonstrated to be people of integrity. We are genuine.”

  • 2019 poll: FCTA orders Turaki, Lamido, Shekarau, Gana, others to relocate campaign offices

    Ahead of party primaries for the 2019 elections, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has ordered all presidential aspirants and political parties with offices within residential areas and diplomatic zones to vacate such buildings.

    No fewer than 35 of the 68 registered parties are affected by the directive.

    The FCTA claimed that the location of the party and campaign offices undermine public safety and jeopardise comfort and conveniences.

    The affected aspirants and parties have up till August 9 to vacate the offices or have the buildings sealed off.

    But some of the affected parties and aspirants have condemned the move as ill-timed and sheer intolerance of opposition.

    The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and Shekarau Campaign Organisation, however, said they would abide by the directive.

    The politicians affected by the directive include presidential aspirants like ex-Minister Tanimu Kabir Turaki, ex-Governor Ibrahim Shekarau; former Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Sule Lamido and ex-Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana.

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP); the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the PDM were also affected.

    According to FCTA records, former Governor Lamido has his campaign secretariat in a diplomatic area in Thaba Tseka Street in British Village, Maitama. Turaki’s campaign office is located at 40, Jimmy Carter Street. Asokoro, which is less than three-minute drive from the Presidential Villa. The SDP secretariat is situated at 9, Yedseram Street, Maitama, within the precincts of some embassies. Shekarau’s office is sited behind the ECOWAS Secretariat at 40, Gnassingbe Eyadema Street in Asokoro ahile the PDM National Secretariat is at 72, Mississippi Street, Maitama; a highbrow enclave with some diplomatic presence. Gana, on his part, operates from a residence in Guzape District.

    Most of the parties were alleged to be operating from residential buildings in Utako, Zone 6, Asokoro, Garki Area 3 and 11, Gwarimpa Estate and Apo Resettlement, among others.

    Other affected parties include National Conscience Party (1, Yaounde Street, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja); Unity Party of Nigeria (Block 10, Flat 1, Amasuma Close, Area 2, Section 1, Garki – Abuja); Accord (Plot 488, 7 Yauri Street, Area 3, Garki Abuja); Action Alliance (Plot 1977 Orlu Street, Area 3, Garki, Abuja); All Blending Party (Plot 614, Zone B, Apo Resettlement, Abuja); Alliance for Democracy (4 Aba Close, Area 8, Garki, Abuja); Action Democratic Party (Plot 3379A, Mungo Park Close, Off Jesse Jackson Asokoro New Extension-Abuja); All Grand Alliance Party (Plot 586, David Jemibewon Crescent, Gudu District-Abuja) and All Progressives Grand Alliance(41B Libreville Crescent , Opp. Tulip Press, Aminu Kano Crescent , Wuse 11, Abuja ).

    Also affected are Better Nigeria Progressive Party (Block 5, Lokoja Street Area 8 Garki Abuja); Hope Democratic Party (Plot 43 Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja); Mega Progressive Peoples Party (1st Avenue, House 53, FHA, Lugbe, Abuja); Nigeria Democratic Congress Party (28 Tunis Street Wuse Zone 6); New Generation Party of Nigeria (No 9B, 61/63 Road, Aliko Dangote Crescent, Gwarinpa-Abuja); Young Progressive Party (Block 10, Flat No. 1 Benue Crescent, Area 1, Garki Abuja); People’s Alliance for National Development & Liberty (9 Abdou Diouf Off Kwame Nkruma St, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria) and Progressive Peoples Alliance (Warri Street, off Emeka Anyoku Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja).

    The FCTA has also wielded the big stick by putting an end to the conversion of residential buildings to party or campaign offices.

    The July 9 quit notice was signed by the Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Tpl Umaru Shuaib with a month deadline.

    The notice said: “The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has observed with dismay the proliferation of illegal conversion of buildings located within residential plots and diplomatic zones into political offices.

    “This inappropriate conversion of residential building into political campaign offices undermines public safety, jeopardise comfort and conveniences.

    “It also generates nuisance and traffic that threatens the peace of residents of the FCT.

    “This illegal conversion is repugnant and inconsistent with the extant status, approved Land Use Plan of the Federal Capital City (FCC), which further violates the city’s Master Plan.

    “The Federal Capital Territory Administration has therefore directed that political campaign offices currently occupying buildings located within residential plots and diplomatic zones should quit such premises and relocate to plots designated by the Abuja Master Plan for such purpose/use.

    “All concerned entities/ groups are expected to quit the residential buildings they are currently occupying, revert to residential use and ensure compliance within 30 days of this publication.

    “Similarly, all persons or organizations that deface public facilities with posters and bill boards of all kinds at unauthorized places are warned that they are liable for prosecution.

    “The concerned entities are hereby urged to be guided and ensure full compliance in order to avoid the relevant sanctions.

    But while some of the affected parties and aspirants have condemned the move as ill-timed and sheer intolerance of the opposition, Shekarau Campaign Organisation said it would abide by the directive.

    The Director of Media and Publicity of Tanimu Kabiru Turaki Campaign Organisation, Mr. Sola Atere, described the directive as unfortunate.

    He said: “There was no prior discussion; neither was there any notification nor letter given to us. Yet, we have been paying statutory bills to Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and FCT Water Board and they have been collecting and sending bills since we started using the premises in February this year.

    “The building was being used for commercial purposes before we came in. We are even neighbours to a federal government agency, Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation. Why have they neglected to enforce their regulations in places such as Gwarinpa residential estate where houses on major avenues have been converted to malls in many cases?

    “There is this perception that it is an attempt to intimidate the opposition.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of SDP, Alfa Mohammed, said: “Such a notice is mischievous and sheer intolerance of the opposition. The FCTA never gave such a directive in the past but why now?

    “At a critical time when the 2019 poll is about four to five months away, you don’t begin to introduce a policy to drive parties underground.

    “We know that if a party is the target, many parties can be sacrificed to reach a target.”

    The Director of Media and Publicity of Shekarau Campaign Organization, Dr. Sule Yau said: “We are law-abiding citizens. We will comply with the directive. Whatever the government is coming out with, we will abide by it.”

    Also, the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Alh. Bashir Yusuf said: “I think it is a legal directive. The truth is that residential buildings and diplomatic areas are not conducive for political activities.

    “But political leaders and parties are constrained because there are no enough buildings in the designated areas to occupy. I see no problem with the directive.”

    Reactions from Lamido and Gana were being awaited at the time of filing this report.