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  • Join hands with Tinubu, APGA,LP faction tell Atiku, Obi

    Join hands with Tinubu, APGA,LP faction tell Atiku, Obi

    • Obi’s lawyers presented worst election petition ever in Nigeria’s history – Apapa faction
    • LP chair sacks aides after apex court’s judgment
    • More reactions trail Tinubu’s Supreme Court victory

    The National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance( APGA), and the Lamidi Apapa led faction of the Labour Party (LP) have told Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023, election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his LP counterpart, Peter Obi  to join hands with President Bola Tinubu to develop Nigeria, if they truly love the country.

    The National Chairman of APGA, Sylvester Ezeokenwa, a lawyer, spoke yesterday in Awka, while hailing the victory of President Bola Tinubu at the Supreme Court.

    Speaking with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, during a courtesy visit at the APGA zonal secretariat, Ezeokenwa, said Tinubu won the February 25 presidential election convincingly, adding, ” there was no need for such litigations.”

    Ezeokenwa said the Supreme Court’s verdict on the petitions filed against Tinubu by Obi of LP and Atiku of PDP, showed that Tinubu won the February 25, 2023 presidential elections.

    He urged the opposition parties and other Nigerians to join hands with Tinubu to develop the country.

    However, he noted that the president had started well going by his policies, adding that he should make sure he fulfills up to 50% of his campaign promises and work towards moving the country forward.

    According to him, “Tinubu should endeavour to implement at least 50 per cent of programmes in his development agenda.

    “If the President can implement up to 50 per cent of his programmes, the nation will witness rapid transformation in the near future.

    “APGA has positioned itself in a vantage position to win more elective positions in the country during the next electioneering period.

    “All post-primary elections bickerings which had in the past held the party to ransom, would no longer repeat themselves.

    “Henceforth, we would insist on transparent primary elections in all the elective positions. Journalists are truly the watchdogs, they have a vital role to play in nation-building,” Ezeokenwa said.

    Speaking in the same vein, the Labour Party faction led by Lamidi Apapa hailed the Supreme Court judgement affirming the verdict  of the Presidential Election Petition Court which upheld the victory of President Tinubu.

     The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, yesterday  in Abuja, congratulated Tinubu for the victory at the apex court and urged him to be magnanimous in victory by inviting the party leadership as a partner in progress to an all inclusive government in order to move Nigeria forward.

     The party said that the lawyers of its Presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi presented the “worst election petition ever in Nigeria’s history.”

     In their statement on Saturday congratulating Tinubu, the Labour Party said it was ready to support Tinubu to work for a new and better Nigeria.

     The party urged Nigerians to join hands in patriotism with Tinubu to revive the economy.

     The statement reads: “The Labour Party National Chairman Bashiru Lamidi Apapa and members of the National Working Committee of our great party congratulate you once again and we are hereby reaffirming our unflinching support for a new and better Nigeria under your leadership.

     “President Bola Tinubu’s  victory at the Supreme Court on Thursday 26th October was not a fluke as he deployed all that was required to win an election.  A two-term governor of Lagos State, the commercial capital of Nigeria is a man of many means that remains very focused on his long term ambition.

     “The President knew what he wanted because when political shenanigans were on the prowl, when all hope seemed impossible, he remained unperturbed but rather spread the Emilokan political virus that went across the nation upon which he affirmatively claimed victory in the apex court.

    “While the leadership of the LP wishes to thank all the democratic citizens of Nigeria, who participated in the just-concluded 2023 general election for maintaining peace and orderliness till we took the journey of the survival of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria to this peaceful end, we urge Nigerians to remain calm and resolute in this trying time of national survival, as the man in the helm of affairs knows the job he was voted to do.

     “The victory of President Bola Tinubu is well-deserved. It is a testimony of hard-work, resilience, dedication and love for the nation. President Tinubu fought for the emancipation of democratic values and true democracy in Nigeria, starting from his youthful ages to this present time he actualised his dream of birth of a new Nigeria.

     “Let us still believe in the democratic government, no matter what selfish politicians and cohorts hid in their stocks against the growth of democracy.

     “The LP under the leadership of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa therefore again wants to congratulate President Bola Tinubu, the entire Nigeria presidential constituency on the resounding victory of our President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the Supreme Court.

     “The beauty of democracy is that election divides all democratic citizens, the democrats and the entire populace into losers and winners

     “While we in the LP appeal to the losers, especially the PDP presidential candidate to toe the path of patriotism as democrats, we urge the winners to be more magnanimous in victory,since the government is for us all.

    Read Also: Supreme court ruling: Tinubu ‘ll now focus on Nigeria’s challenges – Adeleke

     “The country is moving forward with a speed of light, as we all join hands in patriotism with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to revive the nation’s economy.”

    Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barrister Julius Abure, has terminated the  appointments of some of his aides.

    The National Secretary of the party, Malam Umar Farouk,  who signed the termination letter said all appointments related to elections and campaigns had been formally dissolved.

    “The affected appointees include: Mr. Mandela Ukegbu, Chairman, Labour Party Presidential Campaign Committee on Special Duties; Engineer Balami Isaac David, Senior Special Assistant on Presidential Campaign, Fund Raising and Grassroot Mobilization; Didacus Joe-Adigwe, Senior Special Adviser on Strategy, Protocol and International Relations; Princess Ajibola, Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties and Mobilization and Isaac Imasuagbon, Senior Special Assistant on ICT,” Farouk said.

    Atiku speaks tomorrow 

    Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the February 25, 2023 election,  Atiku Abu-Bakr, will address the  press on Monday at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

    The PDP Publicity Office disclosed this yesterday  in a  post on its official X handle.

    The post reads:  The Presidential Candidate of our great Party, the @OfficialPDPNig, in the February 25, 2023 Presidential election and former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, GCON, Wazirin Adamawa, @atiku will address a crucial Press Conference on issues of serious importance to the Nation.

     “Date:  Monday, October 30, 2023, Venue: PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, Time: 11am Prompt.”

    Eno, A’Ibom APC felicitate President

     Akwa Ibom State governor, Umo Eno and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have felicitated President Bola Tinubu over his Supreme Court victory.

     Governor Eno also pledged his loyalty and support for the Tinubu administration, saying he is desirous of connecting Akwa Ibom State to the centre.

     Speaking on Friday during a “Thank You Meeting” by Christian leaders in the state, Eno said that the verdict of the apex court had ended the litigations that trailed Tinubu’s victory in February 25, 2023 elections.

     Reaffirming his support for the President Tinubu led- Federal Government, he said though Akwa Ibom State is led by the Peoples Democratic Party, there was need to connect with the government at the centre to attract developments to the state. 

     The state APC in a statement  signed by its publicity secretary, OtoAbasi Udo tongue-lashed the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party for distracting Nigerians through unnecessary litigations.

     “Probably to prove that they exist and participated in the 25th February presidential election, the two main opposition parties – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) and their presidential candidates went to court to challenge the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the APC.

     “From day one, our party the APC knew that they were only on a voyage of discovery, being that neither in law nor in fact had they any solid grounds to up turn the peoples’ mandate.

     “The verdict of the Supreme Court was unanimous as the seven (7) erudite panelists of the apex court spoke in one accord for our victory.”

      Abiru, C&S leader Alao congratulate Tinubu

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Matters, Tokunbo Abiru, and leader of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Prophet Solomon Ala, have congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the occasion of his victory at the Supreme Court.

    Abiru, who represents Lagos East District  in the Senate, described the verdict of the apex court as the true reflection of the popular will of Nigerians.

    He added that history will be kind to all Nigerians, particularly teeming members of the All Progressives Congress (APC):and other supporters who stood solidly with him throughout the tortuous legal battle.

    Abiru expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome many of her daunting challenges under the visionary leadership of Tinubu, urging them to support him in his quest. He called on all Nigerians to continue to support the position of the country on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    He said:”“ On behalf of the good people of the Lagos East Senatorial District, I heartily congratulate our esteemed Leader and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on his well-deserved victory at the Supreme Court today.

    This verdict of the apex court has again reaffirmed the popular will of Nigerian people as reflected in the outcomes of the 2023 presidential elections. The ruling of erudite jurists has further strengthened the confidence of the people in the judiciary as the last hope of the people.

    “I salute the doggedness and resilience of members of our dear party, and teeming supporters of our dear President, all Nigerians all through the period of elections and post-elections legal tussle. As this historic Supreme court ruling ended all presidential election wranglings,  I called on all Nigerians, regardless of their political and religious orientation, to join hands with the government of President Tinubu.”

    C& S leader Dr. Alao lauded the political leaders for their maturity and respect for the rule of law throughout the period of legal tango that trailed the presidential election.

     He noted that if politicians of the first republic had obeyed the rule of law, as experienced now, there would not be any reason for the military coup of January of 1966 that abrogated the best constitution ever practiced in Nigeria.

     While congratulating President Tinubu on the Supreme Court upholding his victory, he urged him to be magnanimous in victory and shun winner takes all attitude of past leaders, which excluded brilliant minds in the opposition parties from contributing to the development of the country.

    The clergyman also declared the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party (LP) candidate Mr Peter Obi as “Champions of Democracy “ for allowing peace to reign.

    The Head of C & S Church Worldwide, Prophet Alao said, “Nigerians should appreciate both Atiku and Obi for their peaceful disposition and respect for the rule of law. We knew what happened in 1966 and 1983 that truncated democracy in Nigeria, but they behaved wiser than politicians of those periods. I hope President Tinubu will also respect them for this.”

    He advised them not to abandon their quest for good governance, urging them to continue to put the government on its toes by providing alternative policies and constructive criticism that will help in shaping policies that will improve the welfare of the citizens.

    The clergyman said: “Democracy thrives when opposition parties play their role very well and that’s why many will not forget roles played by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as opposition leader in Nigeria.

    “Nigerians are living in abject poverty because of the prices of petroleum products, spike in foreign exchange, lack of power supply, high cost of foodstuff and transportation. Who is challenging the government on all these, that’s why I said opposition parties should use their platform to constantly engage the government.”

    Ex-militants applaud victory

    The Niger Delta Coastline Vanguard (NDCV) has described President Bola Tinubu’s victory at the Supreme Court as a judicial stamp of legitimacy and landslide victory in the February 25 presidential elections.

     The ex-militants’ group therefore congratulated President Tinubu, on the affirmation of his victory by the court, maintaining that the time had to unite Nigeria.

    In a congratulatory message issued by its  leader Akogun Job Omotuwa, the NDCV said the triumph of the President at the apex court was “the ultimate judicial stamp on the landslide victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer at the 2023 presidential poll held on February 25, 2023.”

    “The decision of the Supreme Court validating President Tinubu’s win as a victory for democracy, the rule of law and a landmark judgement in the nation’s electoral jurisprudence that has become a reference point for generations to com,” he said.

    According to him, “This laid to rest all doubts and controversies raised by the opposition about the presidential election. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Mr. Peter Obi should join hands with President Tinubu to move the country forward politically, and  economically for the interest of Nigeria.”

    Irrespective of our political, ethnic and religious leanings, it’s time to support President Tinubu’s vision on ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ for good governance,” Omotuwa stated .

    It’s no victor, no vanquished-Arewa Think Tank

    With the Supreme Court passing judgment on the appeals of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) as well as their presidential candidates and upheld the election of President Bola Tinubu, a Northern group, Arewa Think Tank said there was no victor and no vanquished.

    A statement by the Convener of Arewa Think Tank, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said President Tinubu should imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and carry everybody along irrespective of political difference.

    “We all hailed the judgment and it’s now time for the President to focus on good governance for the people and fulfill all the election campaign promises he made.

    “Concerning the acceptance of this verdict, we urge our colleagues, friends and politicians to accept it in good faith. We also have to use this opportunity to congratulate the leaders of other political parties because it is better for them to resort to the judiciary which they have done rather than taking against each other.

    “The actions of the oppositions for resorting to the judiciary means that democracy is getting matured in Nigeria and we are happy with that. Now is the time for all Nigerians particularly the President to roll up his sleeves and continue with the governance.

    “We need to come together as one country, one people and move ahead and take this country to where it rightfully belongs.

    “As Arewa Think Tank group we want the country to move forward. So we congratulate Mr. President and we believe no more speculation so Mr. President will be focused and do what he is supposed to do for Nigerians,” the statement said.

  • Atiku, Obi should congratulate President Tinubu – Ben Murray-Bruce

    Atiku, Obi should congratulate President Tinubu – Ben Murray-Bruce

    Former Bayelsa Senator, Ben Murray-Bruce has called on the main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to congratulate the winner, President Bola Tinubu in light of the verdict of the Supreme Court which affirmed the outcome of the election.

    He also called Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to congratulate President Tinubu in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    Murray-Bruce, in a post shared via his handle on X (formerly Twitter) said: “It is only right, fitting, and sportsmanly for both Waziri Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi to congratulate President Bola Tinubu for his victory in the #NigerianElections2023.

    “There must be an end to litigation, and the Supreme Court must end it. All talk by some persons that ‘Bola Tinubu is not my President’ is frivolous and unhelpful.

    Read Also: My plans for the future, by Osimhen

    “As long as you call yourself a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you do not have ‘your’ President. Nigeria has a President, and whether you like it or not, he presides over you as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Head of the State,

    “The Peoples Democratic Party must now play their role as Nigeria’s most viable opposition party.

    “It is incumbent on them to work on unifying their ranks. Disunity and treachery against President Goodluck Jonathan cost them the 2015 election.

    “Disunity also cost them this election. If they allow it to repeat itself a third time, they are done.

    The former senator, who served in the upper chamber between June 2015 and June 2019, also advised youths not to allow anybody, whether candidate, party, or TV station, to set them against the government.

    He said: “To the youths of Nigeria, do not allow anybody, whether candidate, party, or TV station, to set you against the government. The future is yours, as Millennials, not ours, the fifties and sixties generation. Use it well. Organise now for 2027, or agonise when it is 2027.”

  • Can Obi rebuild LP?

    Can Obi rebuild LP?

    Ahead of the February presidential poll, not many people gave him a chance. He was underrated by the two dominant  parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led then by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

    But, Obi nearly became the hero the 2023 poll. He made a phenomenal impact, scoring over six million votes, as a starter, to the surprise of the two experienced politicians, President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    Obi came into political limelight when he won the Anambra governorship election in 2003 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Although the poll was rigged in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP, the stolen mandate was retrieved at the Supreme Court.

    However, after leaving office, he dumped APGA for PDP, where he paired with Atiku in 2019. His choice as running mate did not go down well with Southeast PDP leaders who complained that they were not consulted by the Waziri Adamawa.

    During the preparation for the 2023 poll, he hurriedly left PDP when he got wind of the fact that Atiku was no longer looking in his direction.

    Obi borrowed Labour Party (LP) and launched into the campaigns with enthusiasm.

    Three factors boosted his chance. He almost became the third force, inspite of the limited capability of his “structureless” platform and disorganised supporters because Obi  appealed to many youths who were not impressed by the performance of the Buhari administration.

    Indeed, many youths also gravitated towards Obi through peer pressure.

    The propaganda on the social media by fanatical loyalists was strong, effective, confusing and also largely deceitful, taking along many ignorant and gullible youths.

    Also, the campaign was divisive, anchored on a sort of religious bickering. While the political class was busy resolving the conflict triggered by zoning or power shift, many Christians were of the opinion that after Buhari’s eight years, power should shift from a Muslim to a Christian. The religious issue became popular among Christians who lacked an indepth understanding of the calculations that heralded the APC’s same faith ticket. However, the Christian population that endorsed Obi cut across Northcentral, Southwest state of Lagos and majorly Southeast.

    The third factor was ethnicity, as reflected principally by the bloc votes secured by the LP candidate from his native Southeast and other Igbo-dominated catchment areas in the country.

    Read Also: Infantino cleared of improbity in corruption scandal

    In the entire Southeast, APC and PDP were shut down, making Obi, more or less, a new champion of geographical expression.

    The demography of LP voters also revealed that affection for Obi contrasted with any consideration for LP. Evidently, in subsequent elections, LP could not fly, except in Abia, where Alex Otti, according to observers, was elected largely on his own merit.

    Obi’s adventure into court did not bear fruits. His prayers collapsed at the tribunal and Supreme Court. But, his behaviour few days ago reflected a product of bad companionship. After  Obi initially rejected Atiku’s post-election offer to team up with him, he deviated from his earlier position to fight alone. Like Atiku, he asked President Tinubu to re-introduce himself  to Nigerians who gave him majority votes. But the heat was soon turned on Obi. If as alleged by Lamidi Apapa’s faction his divided party, represented by Arabambi, Obi bears Peter on one certificate and Gregory Onwubwuasi on other certificates, does that not suggest an atom of identity crisis?

    Obi’s appeal at the Supreme  Court, according to the jurists, lacked merit. It meant that he was televised into chasing shadows.

    Many challenges will contront Obi and LP. The former presidential candidate does not know the party totally. He only hired the platform for the poll.

    Obi has defected twice from political parties. Would he may still defect from LP, faced with similar circumstances?

    Currently,  the party is divided. Apapa and Julius Abure, a lawyer, are at loggerheads. The two party stalwarts worked at cross-purpose during the electioneering. The leadership tussle is detrimental to the party’s unity and cohesion . There is an unfinished business of reconciliation.

    Obi also has to organise and encourage his scattered followers to also embrace LP.

    The party lack formidable structures  in many states. Therefore, the party has to embark on membership drive. Although the leadership of the umbrella Labour union endorsed Obi, workers were aloof. LP is not an ideological party. Therefore, it is not different from other parties.

    Another challenge that will likely face the party is defection of its few federal and state lawmakers who are swayed by carrots dangled by bigger parties.

  • Can Obi rebuild LP?

    Can Obi rebuild LP?

    Ahead of the February presidential poll, not many people gave him a chance. He was underrated by the dominant two parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led then by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Dr. Iyorchia Ayu. 

    But, Obi nearly became the hero the 2023 poll. He made a phenomenal impact, scoring over six million votes, as a starter, to the surprise of the two experienced politicians, President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. 

    Obi came into political limelight when he won the Anambra governorship election in 2003 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Although the poll was rigged in favour of Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP, the stolen mandate was retrieved at the Supreme Court. 

    However, after leaving office, he dumped APGA for PDP, where he paired with Atiku in 2019. His choice as running mate did not go down well with Southeast PDP leaders who complained that they were not consulted by the Waziri Adamawa. 

    During the preparation for the 2023 poll, he hurriedly left PDP when he got wind of the fact that Atiku was no longer looking in his direction. 

    Obi borrowed Labour Party (LP) and launched into the campaigns with enthusiasm. 

    Three factors boosted his chance. He almost became the third force, inspite of the limited capability of his “structureless” platform and disorganised supporters because appealed to many youths who were not impressed by the performance of the Buhari administration. 

    Indeed, many youths also gravitated towards Obi through peer pressure. 

    Read Also: Supreme Court: Ogbu-Aguocha congratulates Tinubu, urges Atiku, Obi to join hands in nation-building

    The propaganda on the social media by fanatical loyalists was strong, effective, confusing and also largely deceitful, taking along many ignorant and gullible youths. 

    Also, the campaign was divisive, anchored on a sort of religious bickering. While the political class was busy resolving the conflict triggered by zoning or power shift, many Christians were of the opinion that after Buhari’s eight years, power should shift from a Muslim to a Christian. The religious issue became popular among Christians who lacked an indepth understanding of the calculations that heralded the APC’s same faith ticket. However, the Christian population that endorsed Obi cut across Northcentral, Southwest state of Lagos and majorly Southeast. 

    The third factor was ethnicity, as reflected principally by the bloc votes secured by the LP candidate from his native Southeast and other Igbo-dominated catchment areas in the country. 

    In the entire Southeast, APC and PDP were shut down, making Obi, more or less, a new champion of geographical expression. 

    The demography of LP voters also revealed that affection for Obi contrasted with any consideration for LP. Evidently, in subsequent elections, LP could not fly, except in Abia, where Alex Otti, according to observers, was elected largely on his own merit. 

    Obi’s adventure into court did not bear fruits. His prayers collapsed at the tribunal and Supreme Court. But, his behaviour few days ago reflected a product of bad companionship. After initially rejected Atiku’s post-election offer to team up with him, he deviated from his earlier position to fight alone. Like Atiku, he asked President Tinubu to re-intriduce himselves to Nigerians who gave him majority votes. But the heat was soon turned on Obi. If as alleged by Lamidi Apapa’s faction his divided party, represented by Arabambi, Obi bears Peter on one certificate and Gregory Onwubwuasi on other certificates, does that not suggest an atom of identity crisis?

    Obi’s appeal at the Supre Court, according to the jurists, lacked merit. It meant that he was televised into chasing shadows. 

    Many challenges will contront Obi and LP. The former presidential candidate does not know the party totally. He only hired the platform for the poll.

    Obi has defected twice from political parties. Would he may still defect from LP, faced with similar circumstances? 

    Currently,  the party is divided. Apapa and Julius Abore, a lawyer, are at loggerheads. The two party stalwarts worked at cross-purpose during the electioneering. The leadership tussle is detrimental to unity and cohesion in the party. There is an unfinished business of reconciliation. 

    Obi also has to organise and encourage his scattered followers to also embrace LP. 

    The party lack formidable structures I’m many states. Therefore, the party has to embarked on membership drive. Although the leadership of the umbrella Labour union endorsed Obi, workers were aloof. LP is not an ideological party. Therefore, it is not different from other parties. 

    Another challenge that will likely face the party is defection of its few federal and state lawmakers who are swayed by carrots dangled by bigger parties. 

    Where will LP be in four years time?

  • Supreme Court: Don’t run away from Nigeria, group tells Atiku, Obi

    Supreme Court: Don’t run away from Nigeria, group tells Atiku, Obi

    A pro-democracy group, Coalition for Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI) has appealed to the opposition presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi not to run away but stay in the country to join hands with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to build the country.

    The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi during a unity rally in celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s electoral victory at the Supreme Court in Abuja on Thursday said the two leaders should stay back and contribute meaningfully to the project Nigeria.

    The advice came on the heels of reports that Atiku may be jetting out of the country following his defeat again at the apex court on Thursday.

    Addressing newsmen shortly after members of his group along with other jubilant marched and danced around Eagle Square and along major roads around the Supreme Court, Ogenyi advised the two leaders to accept the outcome of their appeal and contribute meaningfully to the development of the country.

    According to Ogenyi, “We wish to reiterate and call on all those who participated in the last Presidential election are welcome to join the new Nigeria of our dream, an egalitarian Nation where peace and justice shall reign.

    “We specifically single out the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, not to abandon Nigeria.

    Read Also: UPDATED: Senate okays Aliyu as ICPC chairman

    “It is our opinion that they should stay back and contribute meaningfully to the project Nigeria. We believe that as citizens of Nigeria, one must not become a president or vice president before he or she can make a meaningful contribution to the development of our Nation.

    “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as a former Vice President and Mr Peter Obi as a former governor should not hesitate to give appropriate advice devoid of politics and self-aggrandisement. They should continue to reign on their supporters to embrace peace and tranquillity.

    “For now, the struggle for political power has ended for the duo but that does not mean they do not have opportunity in future. Therefore, before the said future will come there is a need to cooperate with the incumbent and ensure that we all succeed together as a Nation.”

    Dedicating the outcome of the appeal to Almighty God and the less privileged who voted massively for Tinubu, the group commended the judiciary for standing by the side of the law and democracy.

    “This victory is dedicated to God the Father and to the less privileged people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who voted and vehemently defended their votes believing in the capacity of His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the man anointed by God to take Nigeria to the promised land.

    “We are here today to celebrate the victory of democracy, social justice, equity and fairness. To us, the judiciary has done an exceptional job by delivering the most sound judgement ever in the history of election petition in Nigeria, by strengthening critical issues of legal dichotomy, democracy has indeed won.”

    The group then called on all Nigerians to join President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” and trust his administration to lead the country to the promised land.

  • Keyamo to Atiku, Obi: call and congratulate President Tinubu now as ‘true patriots’

    Keyamo to Atiku, Obi: call and congratulate President Tinubu now as ‘true patriots’

    The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has urged Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to call and congratulate President Bola Tinubu as true patriots.

    Keyamo advised that nation-building should be at the front burner, urging citizens to close ranks in helping steer the country in the right direction.

    He said: “By the judgment of the Supreme Court today, the laymen prowling all over social media can now clearly see that there is a wide chasm between emotions and law.

    “These were Election Petitions pursued with unnecessary venom and hatred by most of those involved.

    “Today, they have learnt a bitter lesson that such venom, hatred and sentiment have no place in judicial proceedings and deliberations. Their journey has come to a grinding end.

    “We had consistently made the same points to the opposition, but they kept giving their supporters false hopes and goading them in the wrong direction.

    “Unfortunately for them, all the vituperations poured out against the judiciary actually cut no ice with it. Our Justices are always firm, courageous, and cerebral. Kudos to them.

    “What is now left is nation-building. The other Presidential candidates must now call President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and congratulate him as true patriots. We as patriotic citizens must also now close ranks to help steer our country in the right direction. I wish all of us well.”

  • Obi’s wolf’s cry

    Obi’s wolf’s cry

    It has become a pattern for which Peter Obi,  Atiku Abubakar and their bands of rabblerousers are known. When things are not going their way, they resort to blackmail. They start by crying wolf, where there is none. They mastered the trick in the run-up to the February 25 presidential election when they saw that they had no chance whatsoever in the poll.

    Just last week, this reporter warned here that they will be up to the same old trick once the Supreme Court starts sitting on their appeals against the September 6 verdict of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC), also known as the Tribunal, which affirmed Preident Bola Tinubu’s victory in the election.

    It is not that one is a prophet. It is just that a leopard cannot change its spots. Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Atiku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and many of their misguided supporters known as Obidients and Atikulators have a penchant for tarring others while portraying themselves as saints. Nobody except them, they claim, know what is good for the country.

    While Obi is riding on the shoulders of youths to take them for a ride, Atiku is enjoying the backing of many failed and upcoming politicians who use him as their ATM. Obi and Atiku are expected to know better, but since they are enjoying the noise being made by their people, nothing else matters. Both of them know that they did not win the election. They even knew beforehand that they were not going to win.

    How could they have won when a house divided against itself has never been known to stand? They went into the race divided and they lost woefully. They find it hard to swallow this bitter pill of defeat. Their way out, it appears, is to take the country down with them. Are these then leaders? If a prospective president cannot take defeat in his strides, then he is not worthy of the high office he seeks to occupy.

    As I predicted last week, Obi has already started throwing stones not only at Tinubu, but also the court. Hardly had the Supreme Court reserved judgment in his appeal than he went on Twitter now known as X to sermonise on morality, law, justice and leadership. It was his usual style of rousing his mob of supporters to take up arms. Why this early resort to blackmail, deceit and lies? Has he seen the handwriting of what will happen to his appeal on the wall?

    I do not understand why Obi went hysterical on X, imputing what is not to the judiciary. He wrote like a frustrated man. He made no sense at all in what he said, except to his co-travellers. The apex court has only reserved judgment and he went overboard. His insinuations and innuendos about the character of a leader and the judex (judicial officers) are nothing but the cacophonous noise of a bad loser. Why are Obi and Atiku such sore losers?

      Calling the judiciary names is not the hallmark of an aspiring national leader. It is this same judiciary that Obi wants to destroy that restored him as governor in Anambra State in 2007 . Or has he forgotten that? If the judiciary was good then, what makes it bad today? Oh! Is it because the PEPC ruled against him? There lies the problem with Obi and Atiku. Anything in their favour is a cinch, while the contrary could only be a fraud.

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      These people want to stand on the moral high ground when every fibre in their bodies shows how ugly their character is. The judiciary is a sacred institution which should not be dragged into any political fight the way Obi and Atiku are doing. Once you submit to the authority of the court, the right thing to do is to wait for its decision instead of taking the law into your hands, as Obi did, with his X thread, moralising and sermonising.

       How clean is Obi sef? Does he have the moral force to impugn the character of others? Very soon, some people go open book for am, as Fela once sang. Obi cannot go on appeal and expect to determine the case in his own terms. His Rule of law and the credibility of leadership that was posted on X on Tuesday, barely 24 hours after the Supreme Court reserved judgment on his appeal is contemptuous of the highest court in the land.

      On what moral authority did he question “the fairness of the judiciary and the transparency of judiciary operatives”? Obi cannot preach morality to anybody, with what the world knows about him as contained in the Panama Papers. How many of the Justices that he is running down were named in that scandal? None. So, who should be preaching “fairness and transparency” to who?

       From his X thread, something sticks out and that is he has lost faith in his own appeal, even before judgment is delivered. Like many other Nigerians, I cannot wait for the verdict.

    Day of judgment

    I had finished writing the above piece when news broke that the Supreme Court will today deliver judgment in the Atiku Abubakar’s and Peter Obi’s appeals against the September 6 verdict of the Presidential Election Petitions Court (PEPC), which affirmed President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election. I concluded the piece by saying that I was looking forward to the verdict.

        The Supreme Court sent notices to the parties yesterday to that effect. Will the apex court uphold or upturn the Tribunal’s decision? The public will know where the pendulum swings in a few hours. But some of the parties are already jittery, going by their statement in the social and traditional media. They need not be anxious. The Supreme Court will do justice in this matter, according to the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

       Anyone expecting the court to go outside those provinces is living in delusion. Hopefully, the nation will take a breather from the unnecessary acrimony over the election after this final decision which will lay the issue to rest forever, whether or not any party is satisfied with it. I rise.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court delivers judgment Thursday on Atiku, Obi’s appeals

    BREAKING: Supreme Court delivers judgment Thursday on Atiku, Obi’s appeals

    The Supreme Court has scheduled judgements for Thursday (October 26) in the appeals by Atiku Abubakar/the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi/Labour Party (LP) against the September 6 judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), which affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the last presidential election.

    It was learnt that the court has sent notices to parties to that effect.

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    A seven-member panel of the court, headed by Justice John Okoro, heard the appeals on Monday and reserved judgment to a date to be communicated to parties.

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Court reserves judgment in appeal by Obi/LP

    BREAKING: Court reserves judgment in appeal by Obi/LP

    The Supreme Court has reserved judgment in the appeal by Peter Obi and the Labour Party (LP) against the September 6 judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) which affirmed the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the last presidential election.

    Justice John Okoro, who led a seven-member panel that heard the appeal, said parties would be notified when the judgment is ready.

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    Lawyer to the appellants, Livy Uzoukwu (SAN) while adopting his written briefs, prayed the court to allow the appeal and grant the reliefs sought.

    Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), for INEC; Wole Olanipekun (SAN) for Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettma; and Akin Olujinmi (SAN) for the APC, urged the court to dismiss the appeal for lacking in merit.

    Details shortly..

  • Atiku, Obi versus Tinubu: Legal fireworks on Monday

    Atiku, Obi versus Tinubu: Legal fireworks on Monday

    • S’Court fixes hearing of appeal, bid by PDP candidate to submit CSU documents

    The Supreme Court will on Monday hear the appeals by Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi challenging the affirmation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 poll.

    It will also hear the appeal by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as a motion by Atiku for leave to tender new evidence.

    An October 19 hearing notice has been issued to the parties.

    A seven-member panel of justices of the apex court will sit on the matter.

    The Electoral Act prescribes a 60-day period between the verdict of the PEPC and the judgment of the Supreme Court. The PEPC delivered its verdict on September 6.

    Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obi and Labour Party (LP) and ChiChi Ojei and the APM are challenging the September 6 consolidated judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC).

    A few days to the February 25 Presidential election, the APM collapsed collapsed its structure into the PDP’s and adopted Atiku.

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    The tribunal dismissed the petitions challenging Tinubu’s victory for being unmeritorious and because the petitioners failed to prove their cases.

    In their 35-ground appeal, Atiku and his party want the highest court to reverse the PEPC verdict.

    Obi and his party filed a 51-ground appeal seeking similar reliefs.

    APM, in its 10-ground appeal, seeks to void Tinubu’s election on the grounds that his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, was not validly nominated.

    PDP and Atiku are contending that the judgment is against the weight of evidence.

    The PEPC, they argued, “erred in law when it refused to uphold the mandatory electronic transmission of results for confirmation and verification of final results introduced by the Electoral Act 2022 for transparency and integrity of results in accordance with the principles of the Act”.

    According to them, the Electoral Act introduced technology, particularly in the transmission and collation of results, to forestall manipulation and compromise.

    In ground two, the appellants argued that the PEPC erred when, despite the clear provisions of enabling statutes, including the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, the Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections and the Manual for Election Officials, it still proceeded to hold that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) was not meant to be used to electronically transmit or transfer the results of the polling unit direct to the collation system.

    They also faulted the PEPC for holding that the INEC Result Viewing portal (IRev) was not a collation system.

    The appellants faulted the PEPC for holding that the requirement of electronic transmission of the result directly from the polling units to the INEC collation system is not an Electoral Act requirement.

    They faulted the PEPC for failing “to nullify the presidential election held on 25th February 2023 on the ground of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 when, by the evidence before the court, the first respondent (INEC) conducted the election based on very grave and gross misrepresentation, contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022, based on the ‘doctrine of legitimate expectation.’”

    The PDP and Atiku are also praying the Supreme Court to allow their appeal, set aside the judgment of the PEPC and grant the reliefs as contained in their petition.

    The cases of Obi, LP, APM

    Obi and the LP are praying the apex court to set aside the tribunal judgment and grant the reliefs in their petition.

    They contended that the PEPC erred in law and occasioned a grave miscarriage of justice when they held that the onus was on them to prove that INEC failed to comply with the mandatory requirements of Sections 73(2) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

    According to Obi and the LP, “the learned Justices of the court below erred in law and came to a perverse decision when they held that PW3, PW4, PW, PW6, PW7, PW8, PW9, PW10, PW11 and P’W13 were not witnesses of the court, but those of the appellants, who had paid fees for the issuance of the subpoena”.

    They added the trial Justices erred in law when they held that Exhibit X2, a copy of the European Union Election Observation Mission Report, was certified by the Registry of the Court of Appeal and not by the Observation Mission, which is the custodian of the original copy.

    The APM, in its appeal, is contending that the PEPC erred in law “when it wrongfully waved aside the allegation that Tinubu’s running mate and Vice President, Kashim Shettima, was nominated twice for different positions by the APC, in relation to the 2023 general elections.

    The party is also contending that it was wrong for the PEPC to dismiss its case against Tinubu’s election on the premise that it was not only incompetent but contained pre-election issues.

    It argued that sections 131 and 142 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, were inextricably linked “and neither can be confined as a pre-election matter, as these qualifications are condition precedents to being elected to the office of President.”

    APM added: “The appellant’s petition was not one founded solely on nomination, but primarily that the third respondent (Tinubu) contested the presidential election without a lawful associate running as his Vice President.

    “The withdrawal of (Mr. Ibrahim Masari), the fifth respondent and the expiry of the 14 days permissible for changing a withdrawn or dead candidate under Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 made the third respondent’s election and return invalid.”

    APM argued that the PEPC abandoned its duty and jurisdiction of hearing and determining the question of whether President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima were validly elected under the law, given provisions of Section 239(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

    The APM wants the highest court to hold that the PEPC focused on technical issues rather than determining whether Tinubu and Shettima were qualified.