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Tag: President Muhammadu Buhari

  • I’ll base appointment of new ministers on merit, spread — Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday hinted on what to expect during his second term in respect of appointments and security.

    Buhari declared that he would focus on merit and national spread in making political appointments with a view to giving every part of the country a sense of belonging.

    He also vowed that government would ensure harmony among Nigerians.

    ‘‘In the area of allocation of political offices, our focus will be on merit and national spread such that every part of Nigeria will have a sense of belonging,” the President pledged  while  receiving a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) led by the Reverend Samson Ayokunle, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The visitors had tasked him to “take your leadership beyond party politics” and run an all-inclusive government.

    They asked for “inclusiveness and fairness as you constitute your cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals.”

    Responding to CAN’s demands, Buhari said: “We will continue to strive for peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians irrespective of their religious beliefs.

    “We remain resolute in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, and efforts to bring back all those in captivity and other victims of kidnappings will be intensified.”

    He commended religious bodies for the roles they have been playing in the country since he assumed office and promised to continue supporting several programmes anchored by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), geared towards peace, tolerance, unity and harmony in our country.

    Ayokunle in his speech, a copy of which was obtained by The Nation, advised the President to look beyond party politics and embrace all Nigerians, irrespective of party ideology, in making appointments.

    “Having been re-elected President, you have become the President of all. In view of this, we urge you to see yourself as father to all by embracing all,” he said.

    ”We solicit for inclusiveness and fairness as you constitute your cabinet and appoint worthy Nigerians to the headship and membership of critical agencies, boards and parastatals.

    “This is the true and objective way in which you can give all in the country, a sense of belonging.

    “We from the Christian Association of Nigeria, recognise the importance of the National Assembly to the stability and growth of our polity.

    “It is in this regard that we call for ethnic and religious balance with depth in picking the leadership of that great institution of democracy.

    “To ensure that this happens is to remove any apprehension and suspicion harboured towards the leadership of this country.

    Read also: Saboteurs, Politicians in cassock didn’t want us to meet Buhari, says CAN

    “We equally solicit that the principle of separation of power as it is enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be allowed to thrive as an intrinsic aspect of modern day democracy.”

    The group also commended the President for the revival of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and ”the sincere efforts of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in ensuring that your passion to build peace through NIREC becomes a reality.”

    CAN made a fresh call for the release of Leah Sharibu and other Chibok girls from captivity saying: “We solicit passionately for deliberate and relentless effort to free Leah Sharibu and other Chibok girls from captivity.

    “Each passing day inflicts anguish in the hearts of the parents of this young girl, the rest of us who are parents, all Nigerians and others all over the world who love freedom and regret that Leah’s life is being wasted in captivity for no sin of hers other than for her religion.

    “Doing all within you to free Leah Sharibu and according it top priority, shall confer greater credibility on your government and on you as a person.

    ”Please and please, Mr. President, let Leah Sharibu and those in captivity of insurgents be freed to enjoy their lives.”

     

  • Saboteurs, Politicians in cassock didn’t want us to meet Buhari, says CAN

    The President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has said that saboteurs and politicians in cassock had attempted to prevent the association’s leadership from paying congratulatory visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ayokunle, who spoke with State House correspondents after the leadership of CAN visited President Buhari at the State House, Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the allegation that pressure was mounted on the CAN leaders to congratulate the president on his re-election.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a national daily and some online platforms had on Tuesday reported that “some influential people working closely with the Federal Government are mounting serious pressure on CAN leadership to pay a congratulatory visit to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

    The report quoted a source closed to CAN leadership as saying: “If you know the pressure mounted on CAN leadership that we, as a body, have to go and congratulate the president.

    “However, the church is saying this election is controversial and we see what is happening. But, they are still mounting pressure seriously.

    “They are telling us if we don’t congratulate him, it means we are against him and that we are partisan.

    “However, we are saying let them resolve the issues (in court) before we go and congratulate whoever wins. That’s the situation we find ourselves as the Church of God.”

    The CAN leader, however, dismissed the report, saying it was the handiwork of saboteurs and enemies of progress, who did not wish the association well.

    Read also: Go beyond party politics, CAN tells Buhari

    He said:  “Saboteurs who didn’t want us to come here (Aso Rock). We are old enough to know what to do and what not to do.

    “If somebody like me after 60 years of age will be under pressure it means that my life would never have meaning again.

    “But by the grace of God we have a meaningful life, I know what to do. By God’s grace He has prepared me well for this assignment.

    “So, those distractors and those politicians in cassock should go and find better job to do,’’ he said.

    Ayokunle noted that the CAN leadership was in the villa not only to congratulate the president on his re-election, but to remind him of the yearnings of Nigerians.

    The cleric said that Nigerians wanted him to perform 100 per cent better than that of the first term.

    He, therefore, advised the president that only the best Nigerians should be considered while constituting his new cabinet, stressing that he should do more in addressing socio-economic challenges facing the citizens.

    “Now, he has mastered the job; he has mustered enough strengthen to be able to go full swing into action.

    “We want him to do more on security- kidnappings almost everywhere and the issue of insurgency in the northeast, the insurgents should be silenced once and for all.

    “These ethnic militias that have now moved to the northwest, which used to be peaceful, and they are now causing violence there – before they will grow wings their wings should be clipped completely,’’ he added.(NAN)

  • Enter NFIU

    •… And good news on two fronts: Nigeria regains Egmont Group membership; gets de-listed from money laundry-prone countries.

    It is good news that eight months after President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Act in July 2018, the NFIU is set to begin full operations, as an autonomous and independent entity, on April 1.  The NFIU Act separates the NFIU from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), under which it was previously domiciled.

    With the legal excision of the NFIU from the EFCC, Nigeria has been readmitted into the Egmont Group of 156 Financial Intelligence Units, from which the country had earlier been suspended, due to NFIU’s perceived lack of institutional autonomy.

    Apparently reinvigorated by its enhanced organizational status, the NFIU has unfolded a number of new initiatives to enable it more vigorously tackle financial crimes, with special emphasis on money laundering and terrorism financing. These include the completion of an expanded data base on politically exposed persons being set up by the Federal Government; the impending issuance of new guidelines and advisories that will affect cash transaction processes at all levels of government, including bureau de change operations; as well as full implementation of the normal sanctions regime to all detected areas of vulnerabilities, within the country’s systems.

    All of these reflect the seriousness with which Nigeria, under the Buhari administration, is combating the hydra-headed menace of corruption and financial crimes in the country and raising ethical standards in both the private and public spheres. This is certainly responsible for the reported lifting by the European Union (EU) of its listing of Nigeria as a High Risk Third Country — jurisdictions perceived to be deficient in money laundering and terrorism financing controls.

    Apart from the damage to a listed country’s image, it could also have negative impact on foreign investment inflows, since such jurisdictions are perceived to be unsafe and unreliable in a globalised world, sensitive to adverse financial and security information.

    The NFIU reports, however, that Nigeria’s inclusion in the High Risk Third Country list “was officially withdrawn by the Council of Europe on 5 March 2019, while giving room for the European Commission and the European Parliament to align their positions. The Nigerian government engaged the EU authorities through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to reach an understanding”.

    Of course, the basis for including Nigeria in the EU’s ignoble list in the first place was questionable, given the unprecedented aggressiveness with which the Nigerian state has been combating all forms of financial crimes, in the last four years particularly. This has resulted in the recovery of humongous financial and physical assets within and outside the country, the ongoing trials for corrupt enrichment of hundreds of indicted persons and the conviction and sentencing to terms of imprisonment of a number of others, despite the tortuous judicial process.

    Money laundering and other financial crimes are mostly successfully carried out with the acquiescence of foreign banks, especially in advanced western countries, which are recipients of illicit capital outflows.  But these western countries are never placed on any disreputable list. It is the  ringing hypocrisy of the so-called international order.

    Still, Nigeria must continue to vigorously pursue its current anticorruption offensive not necessarily to be in the good books of external actors, but primarily as part of its effort to drastically reduce poverty, promote accelerated socio-economic development as well as enhance her national security.

    In this regard, we welcome President Buhari’s indication that members of his new Federal Executive Council will meet the highest ethical standards. We also urge that the emergent harmonious Executive-legislative relationship at the centre be maximally utilized to strengthen and improve the administration’s anticorruption legislation in its second term.

  • ‘Separate Petroleum ministry from Presidency’

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to separate the Ministry of Petroleum Resources from the Presidency to make it efficient.

    It urged the incoming federal lawmakers to ensure that they pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as soon as possible.

    PENGASSAN President Francis Olabode spoke after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos.

    Briefing reporters, he said Buhari should ensure that the Petroleum Ministry was separated in his second term.

    “The office of the President is too big to add Petroleum Ministry to it. There are a lot of things to be done to make Nigeria independent in refining our products rather than relying on imports,” he said.

    On the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Olabode lamented that it had suffered delays over the years.

    He said: “This bill, which started as the Oil and Gas Sector Reform Implementation Committee report, has been on for 18 years since April 2000. It has gone through various stages with the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill at the forefront.

    “We call on the government (both the executive and legislative arms) to ensure that this bill is passed as soon as they settle down in order to have investors’ confidence in our industry.”

    He said the bill was being stalled by multinationals who believe that it would unfavourable to them.

    Olabode expressed concern over casualisation, contract staffing and outsourcing in the oil and gas industry, saying: “We will continue to engage various stakeholders in ensuring that this menace is adequately resolved in the larger interest of our members

    He stated that to cut cost, most companies, especially the indigenous ones, had resorted to underhand tactics in labour-management relations.

    “Some of these include prevention of members from unionising, disrespect for signed collective bargaining agreements and intimidation and victimisation of labour union and members,” he said.

    He however commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in ensuring  adequate supply of the Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).

    He said: “We call on the government to intensify efforts at increasing local refining and remove all encumbrances to the full rehabilitation of all the refineries.

    Olabode commended the Federal Government in it fight against corruption, adding that it should cover all sectors.

    His word: “We believe that the fight against corruption should not be allowed to shrink but rather sustained to cover all sectors and maintain the gains under this dispensation.

    “We advise that reports of probes instituted by the two chambers of the National Assembly and other agencies of government should not be shoved aside but dusted, and those indicted prosecuted.

    “The government should make all effort to see that all recovered looted funds should be accounted for and re-invested into the economy to reduce unemployment.”

    Olabode called on the government to optimise productivity and economic growth.

    “I want to assure you that all industrial issues with utmost seriousness that the elections are over and all recalcitrant companies who think they are above Nigerian laws should brace up for a rude awakening, as the association will explore all possible means to ensure no organisation undermines any provisions of the country’s laws,” he said.

     

  • Buhari meets Security Chiefs in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday met behind closed doors with Service Chiefs and security heads at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The meeting was expected to deliberate on the security situation in the country.

    The security heads are also expected to present regular briefing to the President who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces.

    The Service Chiefs at the meeting were, Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Naval Staff,  Ibok-Ete IIbas, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar.

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai and the Director of National Intelligence Agency, NIA, Ahmed Abubakar were represented at the meeting.

    Read also: Health workers to Buhari: Don’t appoint only doctors as Ministers of Health

    Also present were the National Security Adviser, Major Gen. Babagana Monguno, Director General, Department of Security Service, DSS, Yusuf Bichi, the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu and the Chief of Defence Intelligence and the Minister of Defence, Brigadier Gen. Mansur Dan-Ali.

    At the end of the meeting, none of them spoke with State House correspondents on discussions at the meeting.

    Also no official statement was issued at the time of filing this report.

  • Buhari launches Micro Pension Plan for informal sector

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday at Asso Villa, Abuja,  formally launched the Micro Pension Plan (MPP).

    It is part of Federal Government’s initiative to achieve financial inclusion, a diversified and inclusive economy.

    The MPP, an initiative of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), which is expected to significantly expand pension coverage to informal sector players including self-employed persons and employees of organisations with less than three staff.

    Buhari, who explained that the plan is designed specifically to capture those in the informal sector, said: “Today, millions of traders, farmers and other entrepreneurs in various industries are completely excluded from the different pension programmes in existence.

    “If you recall, one of the three core pledge of this government is the creation of a diversified and inclusive economy. This can only be achieved by creating an enabling environment for farmers, entrepreneurs and people in other professions.

    “In the past three years we provided grants, concessionary loans and technical support through the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) clinics to farmers, traders and SMEs.

    “The Micro Pension Plan guarantees that when these hardworking citizens retire, they can do it in dignity and comfort.”

    Buhari encouraged trade associations, unions, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in the informal sector to join hands with the government and the pension industry to enlighten their members and the general populace of the benefits of the plan.

    Buhari said: “We are working tirelessly to sanitise some of the rot within the pension system we inherited.

    “This government remains committed in resolving all pension issues and payments, despite the lean resources of the government. We will ensure that every hardworking Nigerians in the private sector, formal and informal can retire without fear.”

    The Acting Director-General, National Pension Commission (PenCom), Aisha Dahir-Umar, said the micro pension plan targets the significant majority of  Nigeria’s working population who, incidentally, operate in the informal sector.

    She said: “Participants are expected from various informal sector workers including market women, members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), members of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Associations, Keke Napep and Okada Riders Associations, Butchers Associations, workers in the Movie and Performing Art industry, mechanics and other workers in the automotive industry and single professionals like lawyers, accountants and many others.

    “Micro Pension Plan is designed to fit the peculiarities of these informal sector groups.

    Read also: 248,000 retirees earn N9.36b monthly pensions under CPS, says PenCom

    “The National Pension Commission had extensively engaged all relevant stakeholders and obtained their inputs before the product was developed to suit their requirements.”

    She explained that the product is flexible with respect to contribution amount and the channel of remittance of contributions to the respective pension accounts. Also, access to accumulated contributions is also flexible, seamless and facilitated by technology through varied payment system platforms.

    “A prospective Micro Pension contributor is required to open a Retirement Savings Account (RSA) by completing a physical or electronic registration form with a Pension Funds Administrator (PFA) of his/her choice.

    “The contributors may make contributions daily, weekly, monthly or as may be convenient to them. Every contribution shall be split into two, comprising 40% for contingent withdrawal and 60% for retirement benefits.

     

     

  • Senate committee advocates more funding for NAF

    The Senate Committee on Navy has called for more funding for the Nigeria Air Force (NAF), to assist it in its critical role of safeguarding the country’ territorial integrity.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Duro Faseyi made the call at the NAF’s budget defence exercise on Thursday in Abuja.

    While decrying that the 2018 Budget had capital release of less than 50 per cent, Faseyi said more was needed to be done in terms of releases to the NAF.

    He noted that, “The problem is under-funding, because the Air Force is saddled with so much responsibility like surveillance and many more.

    “The 2018 budget did not even have up 50 per cent capital release. We had to roll it over to this year.

    “Their job is enormous yet the funding is poor. They are the ones that would spot attacks and areas that should be on red attack before those on land go ahead to attack.

    “Besides, they are useful in other areas like lifting of electoral materials, particularly in the last elections.

    “Everything about air is expensive including fueling. The jet A One, for instance, is very expensive. So, how do we expect them to carry out their mandate effectively with poor funding?”

    The chairman while appreciating efforts made by President Muhammadu Buhari in coming to their aid when necessary, however, said beyond that, the NAF’s budgetary allocation should be increased.

    He said the committee on its part would approach Committee on Appropriation and the Minister of Budget and National Planning to make a special case for increment.

    “Budgeting process is crucial and it is as important as other functions of the Parliament.

    “The desire of the 8th National Assembly for thoroughness and transparency in this year’s exercise, informed its decision to suspend plenary and other legislative engagements so that this year’s appropriation exercise gets the required attention.

    “There is no gain saying the fact budgeting is important for planning.

    “One is not unaware that the Air Force is a very expensive force. None of us is oblivious of the fact that our Armed Forces have had a long history of persistent under-funding.

    “However, the realities of the times we live in, compels us to be more prudent and set our priorities in such a way that they are in tandem with our collective desire to ensure judicious and equitable allocation of our scarce resources,” he said.

    He commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar for his effort to reposition the NAF.

    Presenting the budget, The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadique Abubakar said the NAF had made tremendous process in carrying out its core mandate.

    He said the NAF was constitutionally vested with protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and assisting civil authority when called upon.

    “The Air Force has been actively engaged in combating several security challenges bedeviling the nation which include act of terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry and militancy among others.

    “The NAF is involved in several operations. Some of which include Operations Lafiya Dole in the North East, Diran Mikiya in the North West and Yanchin Tafki in the Lake Chad Basin to mention a few.

    “With your support, this administration has increased the serviceability status of NAF aircraft from about 40 per cent to an average of 80 per cent today.

    “The improved serviceability status enabled us carry out over 43, 000 sorties of about 57,000 flying hours between June 15 and Feb. 18 for various operations.

    Read also: Senate president: Buhari, APC leaders pacify Goje

    “These include 20,140 flying hours for Intelligence and Surveillance that enabled the NAF to get real time information to assist surface forces and NAF aircraft carry out precise attacks if necessary.

    “The NAF has also substantially increased its aircraft fleet by inducting 22 new aircraft into its fleet and reactivated erstwhile unserviceable ones, while eight others are currently being overhauled,’’  he said.

    The Chief of Air Staff noted that NAF would soon take delivery of “qty 2 Augusta 109 Power helicopters which were appropriated by the committee and another MI-35M gunship helicopter.”

    He noted that NAF would take delivery of “a C-130H aircraft in a few weeks after an in-country Periodic Depot Maintenance.

    “The NAF has also created new commands and units all over the country. We have created the Special Operations Command, Air Training Command and Ground Training Command in Enugu.

    “Some of the new units created have enjoyed NAF presence in Nguroje, Shari, Bauchi, Daria, Domain and Gusau.”

    He said in the area of enlistment and recruitment “the administration has a total of 669 Officers and recruited 7, 693 Airmen and Airwomen.

    “Presently 206 Officers are in training while the NAF plans to recruit about 2000 airmen and airwomen this year.

    “We have also enhanced our Force Projection and Force Protection through the training of about 4000 Regiment Personnel and over 1000 Special Forces personnel locally and abroad.

    “The NAF was only recently called upon to assist the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to airlift about 692 tons of electoral materials to 31 different locations in the country.” (NAN)

  • Buhari not an orator but action man, says Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said President Muhammadu Buhari may not be an orator but he has a track record of getting things done.

    Osinbajo said this while representing the President at the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium at the International Conference Centre on Thursday in Abuja.

    Osinbajo described Tinubu as an astute politician whose political achievements only very few Nigerians can boast of.

    The event, which was tagged “Next Level”, is a yearly programme to commemorate the birthday of the APC leader and former Governor of Lagos State.

    Tinubu, while addressing the gathering joked that the Vice President is “talented but evasive”.

    Read also: How Tinubu led ACN to reclaim lost states in 2007, by Osinbajo

    He commended the current administration efforts and called on Nigerian s to cooperate with the government in moving the country to the next level.

    Tinubu said that the phrase “Next-Level” is not just a political slogan but a call to action for change and development of Nigeria.

    The event was graced by dignitaries from all spheres of the life including members of the federal executive council and the National Assembly, Royal Fathers, Governors and members of the public.

  • Tinubu is pillar of democracy, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has described All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a pillars of democracy.

    The accolade was contained in felicitations the President sent to the former Lagos State governor on the occasion of his 67th birthday.

    A Colloquium tagged: “The 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium”, is billed for today at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

    It is to commemorate Tinubu’s birthday.

    President Buhari will chair the colloquium that has its theme as “Next Level Work for People.”

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described Tinubu as one of the strong pillars of Nigeria’s democracy.

    He joined the APC family in celebrating the Asiwaju of Lagos, who is also the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, for his selflessness in serving the country, and making life better for many.

    The President recalled some of the sacrifices of the party chieftain to include, standing up against injustice in 1993 when the June 12 elections were annulled, which led to his going on political exile for many years, and a protracted legal battle with the Federal Government when funds for Lagos councils were withheld.

    The statement reads: “President Buhari affirmed that Asiwaju’s uncompromising posture in the face of injustice and refusal to follow the path of least resistance for personal gains stand him out today as a rare breed and one of the cornerstones of Nigeria’s democracy, especially with his track record of persistence, consistency and effective leadership.

    Read also: Tinubu as reactionaries’ nightmare

    “As the father of modern Lagos State, the President commended the visionary and inclusive leadership style that the Asiwaju provided for the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria for eight years, laying the foundation for a modern and technologically driven city, and ensuring that every successive leader in the state sticks with the masterplan of a greater Lagos.

    President Buhari rejoiced with family members, friends, political and business associates of the Jagaban on this auspicious milestone, which is further brightened with the many successes recorded at the recently concluded polls by his strong leadership.

    “The President believed the best years of the APC National Leader are still ahead, praying that the almighty God will grant him longer life, good health and more wisdom to keep serving the country he loves so much.”

  • Atiku, PDP get tribunal’s nod to serve Buhari through APC

    AT a pre-hearing session conducted yesterday, the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal (PEPT) acceded to the request by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the February 23 election, Atiku Abubakar, for permission to serve their petition on President Muhammadu Buhari through the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The PDP and Atiku, who, by their petition, are challenging Buhari’s victory at the election, applied for leave to effect service of the petition on the President on the grounds that they were having difficulty serving him.

    The three-man tribunal, after listening to Chris Uche (SAN), who moved the ex-parte motion filed by the PDP and Atiku, granted them permission to serve through substituted means.

    Justice Abdul Aboki, who led the panel, ordered that Buhari, who is listed as the second respondent to the petition, be served through any senior official or an officer of the APC at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.

    The Judge, in his lead ruling, said: “It is in the interest of justice” to grant the prayers in the petitioners’ motion.

    Three more parties have joined the PDP to challenge the outcome of the presidential election, which was one by incumbent President and candidate of the APC.

    Read also: ‘Atiku should accept election outcome’

    The parties have dropped their petitions before the PEPT in Abuja, it was learnt yesterday.

    With the one filed on March 18 by PDP and Atiku, the number of petitions against Buhari’s election have risen to four.

    One of the petitions was filed by Hope Democratic Party (HDP) and Ambrose Owuru, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The petition, marked: CA/PEPC/001/2019 was filed on March 7, before that of the PDP and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, which was marked: CA/PEPC/002/2019.

    The third, marked: CA/PEPC/003/2019 was filed by the Coalition for Change (C4C) and Geff Ojinika, who claimed to be the party’s presidential candidate.

    The core contention of the authors of the third petition is that the election, held on February 23 this year, “was vitiated by substantial non-compliance with mandatory statutory provisions, which irregularity substantially affected the election, such that the 1st respondent (Buhari) was not entitled to be returned as the winner of the presidential election.”

    The fourth petition, marked: CA/PEPC/004/2019, was filed on March 19 this year by the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pastor Aminchi Habu, listed as the party’s presidential candidate.