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  • Tension in Plateau over council poll

    The inability of Plateau state government to swear-in Hon Joshua Lanven of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the elected chairman of Langtang North local government of Plateau is generating tension capable of disrupting peace in the locality.

    Council elections were held in December 2018, results were declared and aggrieved partied approached the election tribunal for redress.

    That of Langtang North went to the appeal court and judgement was finally given to the appealant Hon Joshua Laven of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

    The appeal tribunal in its judgement in July 2019 held that the PDP candidate was the true winner of the election and ordered for the swearing-in of the winner.

    The appeal tribunal stressed that the Hon Nanlok Amos of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was wrongly declared winner of the election by the state electoral commission, and that the rightful winner is Hon Joshua Laven of the PDP.

    While Hon Laven was waiting to be sworn in based on the court judgement, the ruling APC instituted a fresh suit at a Jos court stopping the state government to carry out the order of the appeal tribunal.

    The institution of a fresh case in a lower court after an appeal court of superior status has passed its judgement left people of the locality in shock and disbelief.

    The people felt that the fresh court case was a calculated effort by the ruling party APC to deny them their right to elect their leader.

    While staging a peaceful protest over the development in Jos on Saturday, a group of youths known as “Taroh Concern Youths for Justice and Good Governance” said the masses in Langtang North who voted for Hon Laven as their leader are becoming impatience over the prolonged legal tussle.

    Read Also; South West speakers parley over insecurity

    The group noted that tension is rising in the locality over what the people term political conspiracy by ruling APC to hoodwink them and rob them of leader of their choice.

    The group led by its National President, Comrade Manasseh Telzing said it is worrisome for them as concern youths in the area to know that “Hon. Nanlok Amos Kparnim and the APC instituted case at the High Court of Justice in Jos against the position of the Local Government Election Petition Tribunal Court” which is the highest Court to handled local government election matters in the country.

    He said “As concern young people, we are appealing to Governor Simon Along and the All Progressive Congress (APC) to respect the position of the Appeal Tribunal as history would always be unfair to them.

    “We still believe strongly that there are men of integrity whose conscience is the highest authority in the Plateau State Judiciary.

    “Our kind plea is to our Father, the Executive Governor of Plateau State Rt.Hon. Barr. Simon Bako Lalong to prevail on Hon. Nanlok Amos Kparnim and the All Progressive Congress (APC) to accept the decision of the Plateau State Election Petition Appeal Tribunal which is the final adjudication body or apex court regards local government elections in Nigeria as delivered on the 19th July,2019 which declared and returned Ubadndoma Joshua Laven as the duly elected Chairman of Langtang North Local Government Council by taking on the path of honour in discontinuing the certiorari proceedings instituted at the High Court of Justice Jos.”

    The President maintained that “We strongly believe that the political upheavals in Langtang North can be resolved amicably out of court to give room for good governance to the people of Langtang North who are suffering because of this political crisis,” the stand

    According to the group who alleged that the political crisis in the locality overtimes are often caused from Jos said “Langtang North LGC is not new to political upheaval or crisis which is mostly caused from Jos by successive administrations, despite taken longer time before conducting local government elections denying people at the grassroot the opportunity and democratic rights to choose their leaders.”

    They maintained that the Taroh Concern Youths for Justice and Good Governance recalled how they mobilized people to come out and exercise their franchise in the last local government elections which if left as it is can best be described as a “Democratic rape and disgrace, more worrying is the fact that some contestants at the elections who lost out heard their names announced as winners in Jos the state capital,” Telzing lamented

    The youths were also carrying placards demonstrating their displeasure on the recent development in their area with inscription such as “We are peace loving people”, “Justice is justice! Please, judiciary should follow the real procedures of local government elections petition tribunal.” Other are “Respect the rule of law,” and “We are peace makers, don’t make us peacemakers in the grave.”

  • Tribunal orders rerun election between Manager, Uduaghan

    The Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal (Panel 11) Saturday nullified the victory of Senator James Manager of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Former Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan (APC) dissatisfied with the victory of James Manager approached the courts seeking redress.

    The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun election in 90 days within the six local government areas of the affected zone.

    In the petition, Uduaghan alleged over-voting in the district, which resulted in massive ballot-box stuffing and distorted result sheets, which the tribunal averred that he proved through video clips, oral and written submissions.

    Justice O.O. Onyeabo, who presided over the matter in suit marked EPT/DT/SEN/11/2019, hinged his verdict on the ability of Uduaghan to prove his allegation of over-voting.

    Read Also: Edo: Tribunal to deliver judgment in Omosede’s petition

    In another judgement, marked suit no. EPT/DT/SEN/01/2019, judgement was given in favour of the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege (APC) against Hon. Evelyn Oboro of the PDP in the Delta Central senatorial district.

    The tribunal ruled that Oboro’s petition was dead on arrival as she could not prove her allegation of irregularities.

    Also Delta State Election Petitions Tribunal (‘Panel III’) in suit no. EPT/DT/SEN/13/2019, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (PDP), judgement was given against Hon. Doris Uboh (APC), a former House of Representatives member.

    Giving verdict on the matter, Justice E. I. Ngene, said INEC was right to have declared Nwaoboshi as the winner of the Delta North senatorial election, having pulled the highest vote cast, and thereby upheld his victory.

    He blamed Uboh for failing to prove her allegation of over-voting and padding of result sheets.

  • IPOB to S’East govs: we’re not interested in your apology

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday said they were no longer interested in any apology from the South-East governors.

    The pro-biafran group had in an open letter to the South-East governors, made many demands from the governors for there to be a truce which included open apology.

    The governors, on their parts, through their forum chairman, and Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi had said governors in the zone have no apology to tender to the group.

    They said IPOB has no right to place a travel ban on South-East governors and other top politicians from the zone.

    But in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the separatist movement described the governors as weak and pathetic men who have sworn lotalty to their Fulani masters.

    The statement partly read, “Following the recent denial and subsequent refusal of South East Governors to apologize or do the needful towards IPOB against a background of their incessant attacks, abduction, arrest, killings and proscription of unarmed peaceful Biafrans; before, during and after Operation Python Dance II in 2017, we the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) categorically state that we are not interested in any apology coming from those who have continued to shamelessly preside over the Fulanisation of their ancestral lands.

    Read Also: Don’t attempt coming abroad if you owe workers – Kanu warns S/East govs

    “Unfortunately most people are yet to understand the danger these people portend for our existence as a race.

    “We remain conscious of the complicity and duplicity of South East Governors in the whole Operation Pyyhon Dance debacle and will hold them accountable at the right time.

    “We are aware of their secret dealings with the Government of Nigeria to enslave our people, a task we assure them can never be accomplished as long as IPOB exists.
    “We are waiting for them to set foot abroad or appear in public anywhere outside Nigeria then they will know how upset we are.”

  • Buhari and where Nigeria still got it right

    The recent verdict by the Elections Petitions Tribunal affirming the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari at the general elections is an indication that Nigerians indeed got it right in casting their ballots overwhelmingly for President Muhammadu Buhari for another four years in office.

     

    Whether we like it or yes, President Muhammadu Buhari has done what no president in the annals of the democratic dispensation in Nigeria has done. He has shown what it means to have integrity. He has displayed an unimaginable level of patriotism and dedication to the unity of Nigeria, and a Nigeria of our dream where every voice would count regardless of religious or ethnic affiliations.

     

    I am one of those that have always asked questions whenever mischief-makers spread negative narratives about the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to leaving Nigeria better than he met it. I also often ask if these individuals are in Nigeria or holed up somewhere in space. But again, it is understandable.

     

    In the first four years of the life of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerians indeed witnessed the introduction of a sound foundation for economic growth and prosperity. I am aware that in some quarters, many debates were generated as regards the policy direction of the administration. However, these same individuals that hitherto saw nothing good in the various policy initiatives of the administration were left in awe with the manner of progress the country recorded within a record period in critical sectors of the economy.

     

    Enter the life of the second tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari, and every discerning mind would want to agree with me that with the way and manner the government has hit the ground running, Nigeria is indeed on the path of greatness. President Muhammadu Buhari has once again shown to Nigerians that that same zeal and commitment that he exhibited during his first term in office would be replicated in his second term in office, and the events that shaped the first 100 days in office, should give every well-meaning Nigerian a cause to smile.

     

    The cabinet has been formed and portfolios assigned to ministers, other critical appointments have been made and as they say, on your marks, get ready and go! That is the mood of the present administration, and I am somewhat elated with the way and manner every member of the new team seems to be carrying out their duties and responsibilities with every sense of urgency.

     

    The first 100 days in office in the life of this present administration gives me hope and as well indicates that Nigeria still got it right by electing President Muhammadu Buhari for another second term of four years. I stand to be corrected, it takes only a man of vision and courage to be able to confront the cankerworm of corruption that has eaten deep into the very fabric of our national life.

     

    It also takes a man that is interested in the safety of lives and properties of Nigerians to be able to make quality appointments into the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has in turn translated to the various successes recorded in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria and other parts of Nigeria.

     

    It also takes a man of integrity to be able to match his words with actions and not play to the gallery as the everyday politicians would do. The above listed are some of the characteristics that marked the first 100 days in office of President Muhammadu Buhari and an indication that Nigeria indeed is still getting it right with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in the country.

     

    I am convinced with every breath in me that with President Muhammadu Buhari at the helm of affairs in Nigeria for the next four years, victory over our adversaries would be our greatest reward and peace, unity and greater prosperity will be our collective legacy. This much I can vouch for because of the commitment of a man who all of his life has been interested in the betterment of the lives of the ordinary man and woman on the streets. A man whose belief in the unity of Nigeria is unwavering and whose dedication to the Nigerian cause is infectious.

    Read Also; Outrage at Lagos Airport as police molest airline manager over ‘unruly passenger’

     

    That is Muhammadu Buhari, the President that Nigerians voted for to lead them to the promised land in the next four years. I am also convinced that God in his infinite mercies has shown Nigeria mercy by leading us right into voting him as president despite the antics of those that contributed immensely to the mess Nigerian found itself in times past, as well as those whose intent and purpose is to see to the disintegration of Nigeria.

     

    As we celebrate the first 100 days in office, we owe this great country of ours a duty to do the right thing by extending our unalloyed support to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to succeed. We all have a part to play given the fact that we know who our president is, and we also understand that the sincerity of heart and purpose guides his actions and inactions.

     

    We must also realize that this generation and indeed the unborn generation of Nigerians have nowhere to call home and as such we must remain here to salvage it together. Nigeria indeed got it right. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari would do it just right for the unity, growth, and development of our dear country. This I am convinced about.

     

    Abiodun wrote this piece from Ibadan.

     

  • BBnaija: Photos from Teddy A and Bambam’s traditional wedding

     

  • Edo: Tribunal to deliver judgment in Omosede’s petition

    The National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice O. Ogundana will on Sunday deliver judgment in the petition filed by Barr. Omosede Igbinedion.

    Barr. Igbinedion was the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

    She lost the election to Hon Dennis Idahosa of the All Progressives Congress.

    In her petition, Omosede is asking the tribunal to declare her winner of the election on grounds that Idahosa was not qualified to contest the election.

    Omosede argued Idahosa did not resign from the Federal Ministry of Environment before contesting the election.

    She called 17 witnesses in the course of trial while Idahosa called 21 witnesses.

    Idahosa in his defence when he was led in evidence by his Counsel, Enahoro Ahhomo, Hon Idahosa said he did not renounce his citizenship of Nigeria and insisted that he remains a citizen of Nigerian by birth.

    Read Also; Tribunal dismisses PDP’s petition against APC

    Idahosa said he was a board member of the National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGW), an establishment under the Federal Ministry of Environment, but he resigned on November 5th 2018, about 90 days to the elections.

    According to him, “The conduct of the National Assembly election for Ovia Federal Constituency was free, fair and peaceful in all the wards and polling units.

    “I am a proud Nigerian and I came to this earth as a Nigerian and I will leave this earth as a Nigerian. There was nowhere and time I told anybody that I renounced the Nationality of Nigeria”.

    “The election into Ovia federal constituency of Edo state was free, fair and there was no record of violence; it was peaceful, adding that he voted in ward 2, unit 3 in Ovia South West local government area of Edo state. I was in my unit on the day of election,” he said.

  • Police arrest soldier for allegedly stabbing man to death

    The Niger Police Command has arrested a Soldier, Lance Cpl. Attahiru Jibril, for allegedly stabbing one Ali Mohammed to death, in Lambatta Market, Gurara Local Government Area of the state.

    Alh. Adamu Usman, Commissioner of Police in Niger, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Minna on Saturday.

    “The suspect attacked and stabbed the victim to death with a knife, following a misunderstanding at the market,” Usman said.

    Read Alo; Police arrest 100 robbery, kidnap suspects

    He said that the incident occurred on Friday.

    “We succeeded in rescuing the suspect from a mob attack at the market and notified military authorities accordingly,” the commissioner said.

    Usman said the suspect claimed he was on special duty in Maiduguri, Borno.

    He added that Jibril would be charged to court after investigations were completed.

  • Outrage at Lagos Airport as police molest airline manager over ‘unruly passenger’

    There was outrage among passengers and airline workers at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA ), Lagos on Saturday following the arrest and harassment of the Duty Manager of Virgin Atlantic Airways and some other staff of the airline by some police officers who claimed to be acting on the instruction of the lnspector General of police.

    The airline workers, a source said, were reportedly arrested and harassed by police officers for not allowing passenger to fly on a Virgin Atlantic Airways plane to London.

    According to the source, the passenger arrived at the airport late and was told that checking in had closed. He was advised to return the next day but the passenger refused and insisted that he must be cleared to fly.

    The airline officials took time to explain to him why he could not join the flight on the scheduled date, but the passenger insisted that he must be cleared. The airline officials stood their ground and in frustration, the passenger left. He, however, rained abuses on the airline officials and threatened to deal with them.

    The next day, the passenger returned to the Virgin Atlantic check-in counter and allegedly continued his threat. He also abused the airline staff, creating a scene at the counter.

    The airline staff consulted with their superiors and they resolved not to allow the passenger on board because he was considered a security risk to other passengers.

    The passenger, it was learnt, made some phone calls and left.

    To the amazement of airport workers, the passenger returned to the airport the third day, which was on Saturday with police officers clutching a warrant of arrest for the duty manager and another airline staff.

    The policemen, a source hinted harassed and molested the airline staff threatening to take them to Abuja.

    Read Also: ‘Badoo boys’ is creation of media, killings exaggerated, says Ex-Police boss

    In the ensuing drama, the airline workers reached out to the airport authority, which stepped in.

    According to an official of the airport, who pleaded not to be named, the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Airport Police Command stepped in to resolve the issue.

    But, the passenger not done yet, pressed further that the airline staff must be arrested and taken to Abuja for further necessary action.

    Consequently, a police higher authority was said to have stepped in. It was learnt that an Assistant Inspector General of Police has been drafted to look into the issue and the lG’s office has allegedly insisted that the airline officials must report to Abuja to clear themselves.

    An airport official said:” I am aware of this matter. It happened a few days ago. While processing check-in procedures a passenger arrived late, when the duty manager of the airline tried to make him understand that he had to return next day, the passenger got angry and exchanged bitter words threatening to deal with the airline staff.

    ” The next day the passenger returned to the airport still threatening to deal with the airline staff. At that time a decision was taken not to allow him join the flight because he could be a security risk to other passengers.

    ” The next day he invited police with a warrant of arrest to pick Virgin Atlantic staff. The police, we learnt molested airline staff , but did not take them out of the airport. We are following up on the matter .

    ” An assistant inspector general is handling the matter. By Monday , the inspector general’s office wants the airline to bring in its staff to explain a few issues. I am sure the matter will be amicably resolved.”

    But, the airline official spared a thought on the deployment of Police to resolve alleged infractions by a passenger. ” I think it is an abuse of power by the police. I don’t think the lG knows anything about this matter. Some people may be using his name. But, if indeed the lG is behind it, it is scandalous. This is the much that can be said about the matter for now.

    ” In the aviation industry , there are clearly laid down procedures for addressing issues concerning unruly passenger. The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has enough mechanism to address matters like this.

    ” Why should a passenger use the police to threaten an airline ? Why will the police allow themselves to be used by a passenger? “

  • 100 days: PDP accuses APC of publicising falsehood on Makinde

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oyo State chapter, has accused the state’s chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of being desperate to blackmail what it described as “the laudable achievements” of Governor Seyi Makinde and the ruling party in the state in the last 100 days of his administration.

    The PDP, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, accused the APC of sponsoring all manners of falsehood against the PDP and the Makinde government all in an effort aimed at belittling the successful clearing of the rot left behind by the APC in the state and the positive turnaround the state has begun to experience since Makinde assumed office.

    The statement reads in parts, “We are greatly appalled at the desperation of the APC to publicise all manners of lies and falsehood against our government.

    “There is a permissible level of decency in politics and we expect all Omoluabis to follow that cause.

    “Rather than wish our state well after the eight years of disastrous rule and bad governance the APC foisted on Oyo State, that party is standing alone as a rotten apple in the basket, seeking to negatively affect others.

    Read Also: We’re lighting up Oyo to fight crime, says Makinde

    “Let us assure the lie merchants in the APC that our party, the PDP stands firm with Governor Seyi Makinde, and the laudable achievements he has recorded in 100 days.

    “No member of the PDP is angry with the Governor and no one is expressing any such frustration as contained in the lies being marketed by the APC.”

    The statement indicated that the PDP is solidly behind Governor Makinde on every step all the way, as he continues in his giant strides of laying the foundation for the accelerated development of Oyo State.

    The PDP Publicity Secretary added that the umbrella party is more than ever before united as a family, saying: “we are impressed at the globally acclaimed good works of our Governor, the GSM. No one abandons a good product, not even the blind.

    “We are making particular reference to a story from the frustrated camps of the APC with the headline “PDP Leaders Dump Oyo Gov. We affirm that this is another of their classic lies, as such write-up is not only laughable but comical.

    “It can only come from agents of darkness who do not wish Oyo State well.

    “Let us place on record that purveyors of such stories are either deluded, suffering from acute amnesia, or just trying to make a nuisance of themselves.

    “It is not only unfounded, frivolous and malicious but also a great lie that stands no reason. Governor Makinde is no longer about Oyo State, he is already a nationally acclaimed deliverer of good dividends of democracy and good governance.

    “When God begins a special project, only a fool will refuse to join the train. We as a party are more than ever before, proud of our God-sent ‘Mr. Talk and Do Governor,’ who works more and talks less, and this willpower of Governor Makinde has rekindled our hope and faith in the actualisation of the Oyo project embarked upon by our governor.

    “We are 100 percent satisfied with his every move and decision, because he treats every member of PDP as members of the family. We, therefore, enjoin all members of the public to disregard in totality the distractive publications, falsehood and unbridled lies being peddled against the service-delivering Governor Makinde.”

  • PHOTOS: Sanwo-Olu receives Speakers of South West Assemblies in Lagos

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (middle), flanked by Speakers of Southwest States Assemblies, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa –Lagos (5th right); Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin – Oyo (4th right); Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo – Ogun (3rd right); Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun – Ondo (5th left); Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye – Osun (4th left); Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye – Ekiti (3rd left) and others during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, with the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and his Osun State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye during a courtesy visit by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Speakers, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa (Lagos); Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye (Osun) and Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin (Oyo) during a courtesy visit by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja
    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (right), exchanges greetings with Rt. Hon. Funminiyi Afuye, Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly (left) while his counterparts, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin – Oyo (2nd left) and Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye – Osun (3rd left), watch in admiration during a courtesy visit to the Governor by Speakers of Southwest States Legislatures at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday