Supreme Court Renders Ex-Kano Gov Shekarau Jobless In Senate

March 10, 2023

The Supreme Court has sacked by disqualification, the former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, after being re-elected as Senator.

Shekarau was declared winner of the February 25 on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

But a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Inyang Okoro, today, March 10, ruled in a unanimous judgment disqualifying the senator-elect. The court recognized Senator Rufa’i Hanga as the party’s candidate for the 2023 general election.

Before the elections, the former Kano governor had announced his defection from the NNPP to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The apex court faulted INEC for refusing to replace Hanga with Shekarau as the NNPP candidate after he decamped to PDP.

Following Shekarau’s withdrawal as a party member and senatorial candidate, the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal had, in an earlier ruling recognized Hanga as the NNPP’s candidate for Kano Central.

However, instead of complying with the federal high court’s ruling, INEC appealed the judgment at the Appellate Court and lost.

The INEC’s appeal was dismissed, according to Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead ruling on behalf of the supreme court, saying it “lacked merit and substance.”

Not satisfied with the judgments of the lower courts, the electoral body proceeded to the apex court to challenge the judgments which upheld Hanga as the lawful candidate of the NNPP for the Kano Central Senatorial District.

Source: Persecondnews.

Labour Party May End Up A Failed Experiment Like APGA, By Fredrick Nwabufo

Editorial staff

March 10, 2023

It may just be a bubble. A phantasm. An ignis fatuus. A castle on quicksand. It may not take long before the house caves in. The Labour Party electoral rendition is a thrilling experiment of what could be; of political possibilities, of change, but it appears the party is doomed to crumble under the weight of its own afflictions and internal contradictions.

The Labour Party has won 40 national assembly seats so far — according to records by INEC. Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the party, put up a notable performance in the presidential election, though there are disputations over votes from the states he won as there are allegations that they were ballooned in his favour.

But are these sputters of fortune enough to keep the party afloat? I think not. The party is becoming vigorously ethnicised, rigid, and anti-intellectual. I believe the party may end up like APGA – a failed experiment and poor attempt at building a people’s forum.

There is no guarantee that those who were swept into parliament on the wave of juvenile anger, will remain in the party afterwards. And even if some of them do, there is no certainty that the same wind will blow again in subsequent elections.

At parliament, the beneficiaries of the ‘’Obi phenomenon’’ will fight for survival, opportunities, and trade interests. There is the likelihood that some of them will cross into other parties for whatever interest they hold.

So, that the Labour Party has 40 seats in parliament today is not a guarantee of political sustenance or survival in the long run. It is not a guarantee of anything. The party remains a rustled-up vehicle without organic and deep roots. It lacks intellectual bearings, and its supporters vacuous, angry, and menacing. It is only held together, at the moment, by youthful anger, but what happens when the rage tapers off?

The much-vaunted Obi phenomenon will fizzle out as soon as the elections are done, and the youth have other worthy distractions. I do not see Peter Obi sustaining the momentum long after the elections. He may retreat to his business and wait for another happenstance. It is the reason I said it will be historic if Obi extends a hand of fellowship to the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather than chasing apparitions and chest thumping while at it.

APGA used to be that party. The third leg. It held some promise. The party came on stream as democracy returned to Nigeria in 1999. It won some elections. But over time, the party became rigidly regional. It became defiant to political evolution. While the ACN which was founded much later in the 2000s, was able to build from its base to the centre by attuning itself to the times and evolving accordingly, APGA was closed and straitjacketed.

APGA lost its oomph and quickly took on the brand of a sectional party. The dream of the revered Igbo leader, Odumegwu Ojukwu, was for the party to become a national brolly – a stamping ground for all Nigerians. To build from the base and levitate to the centre. But the party failed to realise this dream. It was racked by internecine squabbles, greed, lack of foresight by subsequent managers, insularity, and sabotage.

The Labour Party appears uninoculated against the APGA contagion. The party is becoming rigidly ethnicised. Ethnic irredentists have seized the party, branding it after themselves – recreating it in their own image. Some of these irredentists who take up residence on social media are quick to establish they ‘’own’’ the Labour Party, shutting out divergent interrogations.

Even Aisha Yesufu, a prominent voice of the Obi campaign, was not spared of the noxious epithet by these sudden appropriators of the Labour Party. She was reminded, ‘’you are not one of us’’ – despite her immense support for their candidate.

These appropriators of the Labour Party should take the pain to study the ethos of their party. It is conventionally a workers’ party. But I guess, anger and bigotry drive anti-intellectualism. There is no place for bigotry in an intellectually fecundated mind.

I am of the view that this new-fangled mob is a latent threat to our democracy. Our conversations on politics have never been this contaminated. In reality, this problem stretches beyond the Labour Party mob. But I would advise those who care to listen to desist from spreading poison and freely trading bigotry.

There is no trophy, but damnation for being a loud-mouthed bigot.

Nwabufo is a media executive.

We May Not Get Things Right If We Conduct Governorship Poll March 11 – INEC

Greenbarge Reporters

March 9, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has expressed fear that it may not get things right in the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections across the country, earlier scheduled for March 11, if adequate time is not given to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 BVAS machines from the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on 25th February 2023. It stressed the need for such data to be reconfigured for the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
“This has been the practice for all elections, including the period when the Commission was using the Smart Card Readers.”
Rising from an emergency meeting last night, March 8, INEC management said that the ruling of the Tribunal earlier yesterday, made it possible for the Commission to commence the preparation of the BVAS for the Governorship and State Assembly elections, which came far too late for the reconfiguration to be concluded.
“Consequently, the Commission has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reschedule the Governorship and State Assembly elections which will now take place on Saturday 18th March 2023. By this decision, campaigns will continue until midnight of Thursday 16th March 2023 i.e. 24 hours before the new date for the election.”
The decision of the INEC management was released to the media in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman of
Information and Voter Education Committee, Barrister Festus Okoye and the full text goes thus:
Following today’s ruling by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (EPT) on the reconfiguration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) used for the Presidential election held on 25th February 2023, the Commission met to assess its impact on the Commission’s preparations for the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 11th March 2023.
Nigerians would recall that on 3rd March 2023, the Presidential EPT had given an ex-parte order for some political parties to inspect materials used for the Presidential election, including the forensic inspection of over 176,000 BVAS used in the election which are located in INEC LGA offices across the country. The Commission approached the Tribunal to reconsider the order, given that the BVAS Systems were to be deployed for the Governorship and State Assembly elections and that the lack of a clearly defined timeframe for the inspection could disrupt the Commission’s ability to conduct the outstanding elections. For instance, the BVAS can only be activated on the specific date and time of an election. Having been used for the Presidential and National Assembly elections on 25th February 2023, it is necessary to reconfigure the BVAS for activation on the date of the Governorship and State Assembly elections.
While the ruling of the Tribunal makes it possible for the Commission to commence the preparation of the BVAS for the Governorship and State Assembly elections, it has come far too late for the reconfiguration to be concluded. Consequently, the Commission has taken the difficult but necessary decision to reschedule the Governorship and State Assembly elections which will now take place on Saturday 18th March 2023. By this decision, campaigns will continue until midnight of Thursday 16th March 2023 i.e. 24 hours before the new date for the election.
This decision has not been taken lightly but it is necessary to ensure that there is adequate time to back up the data stored on the over 176,000 BVAS machines from the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on 25th February 2023 and then to reconfigure them for the Governorship and State Assembly elections. This has been the practice for all elections, including the period when the Commission was using the Smart Card Readers.
However, we wish to reiterate that the Commission is not against litigants inspecting election materials. Consequently, it will continue to grant all litigants access to the materials they require to pursue their cases in court.
We wish to reassure all political parties and candidates that the data from the Presidential and National Assembly elections will be backed up and available in INEC cloud facilities, including the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV). Political parties can apply for Certified True Copies of the backend data of the BVAS. Also, the results on the BVAS will continue to be available on the IReV for interested parties to access.
We thank Nigerians and friends of Nigeria for their understanding as we continue to deal with these difficult issues and navigate these challenging times.
Barr. Festus Okoye
National Commissioner & Chairman
Information and Voter Education Committee
Wednesday 8th March 2023.

Igbos In Lagos Endorse Incumbent APC Gov. For Second Term “In Our Own Interest”

Greenbarge Reporters

March 8, 2023

“We, as Igbos living in Lagos, made up of traditional rulers, market leaders, Market women, youths, civil society organizations, town unions and other categories of Igbo population in Lagos state have resolved to endorse and pledge support to the incumbent Governor of Lagos, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his re-election bid.
“Our support for him is anchored on his performance, competence, cordial relationship with Igbos and his grand vision for Lagos, which has greatly favoured Igbos in the last four years.”
These were contained in a seven paragraph statement signed by the leaders of the Igbo communities in Lagos, Peter Claver Oparah, Kelvin Nwoha and Chima Ukwandu at a press conference today, March 8.
They said: “We totally and unconditionally declare that Igbos in Lagos will come Saturday, vote for the re-election of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and APC state assembly candidates and we urge every Igbo man in Lagos to do so for our overall interest.”
Part of the statement goes thus:
“Among all contestants for the tasking office of Lagos state Governor in the coming election, Sanwo-Olu is the best; tested and capable so we urge all Igbos to vote for him on Saturday for the continued benefits of Ndigbo.
“We state unequivocally that Lagos is neither an Igbo State nor a no-man’s land, as some provocatively state. Although Lagos was a former federal capital, it wholly belongs to Yorubas. We therefore dissociate ourselves from any claim that contravenes the fact that Lagos is a Yoruba state and emphatically state that Igbos are not subscribers to the weird position, marketed by mischief makers that Lagos is a no-man’s land. And we pray that we may never use our mouths to say that Lagos is no man’s land because Lagos is not a no-man’s land. It is Yoruba land.
“We state that a lot is at stake given the investment of our people in Lagos. Only a thoughtless tribe without minds of their own will toil with their destiny. Ndigbo will never toy with their destiny, their interests, their investment and their security in Lagos by going into any needless confrontation with the Yorubas who have been very accommodating, very hospitable and very cosmopolitan to Igbos in Lagos. While we thank the Yorubas for their understanding, we ask them to see those who want to instigate a fight between Yorubas and Igbos for their devious and selfish political interests, as not representing the Igbos as we urge Igbos to reciprocate this tolerance by voting for Sanwo-Olu and APC House of Assembly candidates this Saturday.
“We want the Yorubas to Equally understand that In last week’s presidential election, our son Peter Obi was on the ballot and that this generally drew the sentimental support of many Igbos, who voted for him. The result has shown that while majority Igbos voted for their son, majority Nigerians voted for our President-Elect. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While this is understandable, we urge the Yorubas not to see the voting pattern last Saturday as an act of hostility but of democratic choice. This Saturday, Nigerians will vote on the governorship, election and we see it as a great opportunity for Igbos in Lagos to show that we are not political enemies of the Yorubas by voting en mass for Gov. Sanwo-Olu as no Igboman is contesting for the governorship of Lagos. Igbo should show love to Yoruba by voting Gov Sanwo Olu
“We note that our South East region is troubled and has become a hotbed of insecurity and not safe for Ndigbo for a long time now. In this period, Lagos has absorbed millions of Igbos and their businesses fleeing from the insecurity in the South East. Gov. Sanwo-Olu has been particularly accommodative and the Yorubas have been magnanimous in taking in these Igbos. The governorship election is a payback time and Igbos should be careful not to show themselves as hostile and aggressive guests to Yorubas as that will spell doom for millions of Igbos, living peacefully and safely in Lagos and doing their businesses without let or hindrance. Let us vote Sanwo-Olu because he represents the interests of all Lagosians.
“We want to assure the Yorubas that Igbos are not greedy as to plot to take over Lagos as some miscreants and hoodlums intent on causing crisis, are saying. We want Yorubas to know that those provocative statements and boasts are not by true Igbos. That such expression of ingratitude are made to drive wedges between the harmonious understanding Igbos enjoy with Yorubas in Lagos for over a century now. We want to assure Yorubas that Igbos are very much committed to this beneficial relationship and would do nothing to harm it. We will use the next Saturday election to demonstrate our commitment to this understanding and further cement our relationship with the Yorubas by voting massively for Sanwo-Olu who we project to enjoy massive victory in the gubernatorial election this Saturday.”

INEC May Shift Governorship Poll To March 18 Over Re-Configuration Of BVAS

Editorial staff

March 8, 2023

Indication is showing the likely postponement of the Governorship and state House of Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, 11 March to 18 March, 2023 to enable for the proper re-configuration of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used for the February 25 presidential and National Assembly elections.

Information emanating from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that the commission’s management is currently holding a meeting, where it was considering either 18 March.

It was learnt that the main item on the agenda is the re-configuration of the BVAS machines. Court of Appeal had just granted the commission the request to re-configure the BVAS machine.

“You know that the BVAS re-configuration would take three or four days and since they would all be moved to the headquarters in Abuja, the machines would be re-configured and deployed to the various states and finally to the polling units,” an officials said.

Details later…

Source: Daily Trust.

Why We Will Remain Eternally Grateful To Nurses In FCT – Minister

Editorial staff

March 8, 2023

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has said that residents of the city would remain eternally grateful to nurses in the capital city for the roles they played during the outbreak of epidemics in the recent past.

Receiving in audience today, March 8, members of the National Association of the Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), FCT Chapter, led by the Chairman, Comrade Deborah Yusufu, the minister referred in particular, to the outbreak of Ebola and that of COVID 19.

He acknowledged that nurses in the federal capital city worked hard to contain COVID 19, in spite of the fact that FCT was one of the epicentres of the epidemic.

“I personally have really worked very closely with you and I have seen what you have been able to do. I think in Abuja, all of us will be very grateful to you for your role during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all went through it here in the city and Abuja being the second epicentre, we know the sacrifices you went through and I saw the leadership also that was really demonstrated by your Chairman and also by your entire EXCO. For that, I think the entire city and the FCT Administration will be eternally grateful to you.”

The Minister also appreciated the constant dialogue and communication between the FCTA and the Nursing Association, saying it has helped to promote industrial harmony in the FCT.

“You’ve also been a pillar of support to us, particularly in terms of our efforts to really improve on Industrial relations within the FCT and I’ve had a lot of feedback. When we are going wrong, instead of the normal system of writing a lengthy letter and copying so many people, the Chairman will just find a way of communicating to me and tell me that this and this is wrong and it’s very important to do this and this. I’m sure whenever she speaks and communicates with me, she does that with the support of all of you. That to a very large extent has helped us as an administration to be able to really do what is right.”

Muhammad Musa Bello appealed to the association to continue on its worthy path of making a difference in the FCT in its activities as a union and the provision of services to residents of the FCT by its members.

Earlier, Comrade Deborah Yusufu had commended the Minister for the support he gave to the association, which, she said, had created the enabling environment for nurses in the FCT to work efficiently and effectively.

She said that the harmonious relationship between the FCTA and the union has a lot to do with the support and commitment of the Minister to the welfare of members of the association.

“We are happy to be a part of your success story today in the FCT because of the cordial and harmonious working relationship we established, sustained and uphold up to this moment. It is not unconnected with the fact that you have always given us audience, identify with us and of course attend to our issues expeditiously to the best of your ability.”

Osinbajo Flies To Maiduguri, With Wife, To Celebrate His 66th Birthday

Editorial staff

March 8, 2023

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, today, March 8, flew to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, with his wife, Dolapo, where he celebrated his 66^th birthday.

Professor Osinbajo settled with the Children’s Trust and Learning Centre in Maiduguri, an educational charity he initiated. It is a private sector-led charity and social engineering initiative incorporated in 2017 with a mission to create innovative, transformational sustainable learning ecosystems that will nurture, renew and empower vulnerable children between ages 5 and 18 years who have become orphans as a result of the insurgency in North-East Nigeria.
It has provided comprehensive support to 686 orphans and vulnerable children through accommodation, feeding, quality education and rehabilitative psychosocial support.
The Vice President reassured the staff and children of the institution of his commitment to keep providing world class facilities that would make them the best among their peers, regardless of the prevailing socioeconomic conditions.
“All of you children who are here, one thing that is very certain is that, God giving me good health and preserving my life, I will ensure that you get the very best. However it is, we will do everything possible to make sure that you get the very best, because that is the promise and pledge that we made when we started.”

Professor Osinbajo said: “My wife and I consider the children of this school our own children; we want to give them the kind of education that our own children have had, which is why everything that is being done here is done to the best standards available anywhere in the world.
“If you look at the quality of staff here, quality of equipment and facilities, they are among the best in the world and we keep trying to ensure that our teachers have the best exposure that is possible anywhere in the world. And as we go along, you will see that it can only get better.
“So, for me, this school is a very personal thing indeed. I pray and I hope that we will be able to do more and more for these children and for many others as they pass through this school.
“What we intend to do in this school as the years go by is to ensure that this school is a model for the world. I was so excited to hear that a number of our children have gone to secondary school and a couple into the university, and I believe one or two will be graduates this year or next. We are going to make sure that our kids get the best education that you can find anywhere in the world. I am looking forward to when children from here will compete and beat children from Harvard and other places around the world.”
Earlier today, in the morning, family members and personal staff had joined Professor Osinbajo and his wife at Aguda House to give thanks to God, singing and reading bible passages. There was also a special ministration from popular gospel artist, Dunsin Oyekan.

50 Percent Of Our Management Team Is Made Up Of Women, NCC Boss

Editorial staff

March 8, 2023

The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Garba Danbatta has said that 50 percent of the Commission’s management team is made up of women.

Professor Danbatta, in a message commemorating the International Women Day (IWD) today, March 8, said that such women have not disappointed in the various areas they are placed, saying that they have excelled.

“About fifty percent of the Commission’s Management team is made up of women who have distinguished themselves, and demonstrated capacity, capability and desirability to contribute to the success of the Commission in promoting and sustaining the growth of the telecoms sector.

He said that the occasion of the International Women Day presents another opportunity to reiterate the Commission’s irrevocable commitment to promoting gender equality and inclusive participation in line with the theme of the celebration: ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality.’”

“It has been established across the world, and in all parts of human endeavours that inclusion of women in leadership, has contributed in commensurate organic growth, which justifies the notion that development of any nation will be incomplete without the participation and contributions of women.

“This is why we are deliberate, purposeful and conscious of the need to encourage women and girls to partake of the innovative digital opportunities available to them to improve their lives and skills in ways that fulfill their needs and aspirations through their chosen careers.”

The NCC Boss congratulated the women folk, saying that he expected them to continue to play greater roles they have been destined to play in promoting peace and harmony in the world.

Ooni Of Ife Celebrates International Women Day With His Queens

Greenbarge Reporters

March 8, 2023

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ognwusi, today, March 8, celebrated the International Women Day (IWD) with his Queens, acknowledging the key roles women play in the society.

He shared the photos of the celebration with his wives on Instagram. They are Queen Mariam Anako, Elizabeth Akinmuda, Tobi Phillips, Ashley Adegoke, Ronke Ademiluyi and Temitope Adesegun.

Commemorating the IWD, Ooni wrote: “Today, on International Women’s Day, our ambition must be to renew our pledge of building a global society in which women are given equal honour and the resources they need to achieve their fullest potential.

“Our amazing birthright, cradle, adolescence, and even adulthood are inextricably tied to their aprons. Without their sacrifices, hard work, invaluable efforts, our societies would have fractured, household cultures would have been negatively impacted, and communities would have suffered.”

Oba Ogunwusi listed a number of Nigerian women, both those in the great beyond and those alive, and said the landmark contributions that Nigerian women make across all fields of human endeavour must be celebrated every day.

Go Ye And Reclaim My Mandate, Atiku Orders 19-Member Legal Team

Greenbarge Reporters

March 8, 2023

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has asked a 19-member legal team he assembled to go out there, challenge the presidential election of February 25, 2023 and reclaim his mandate.
The PDP presidential candidate, who inaugurated the legal team at his campaign headquarters in Abuja today, March 8, charged it to establish the claim of illegality in the February 25 presidential election and reclaim the mandate of the Nigerian people.
Atiku said that apart from reclaiming the mandate from those who undertook the electoral heist that was not the reflection of the will of Nigerians, the legal team should use the opportunity of the trial to strengthen constitutional democracy in the country.
He directed the team, headed by Chief J. K. Gadzama SAN, Atiku said that it is imperative that they work assiduously in reclaiming the mandate not necessarily because of him and the PDP, but to strengthen democracy and the electoral process and for generations unborn.
Members of the team include Chief Chris Uche (SAN), Paul Usoro (SAN), Tayo Jegede (SAN), Ken Mozia (SAN), Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN), Mahmood Magaji (SAN), Joe Abraham (SAN), Mr Chukwuma Umeh (SAN), Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN) and Chief Emeka Etiaba (SAN).
Others are Chief Goddy Uche (SAN), Prof. Maxwell Gidado (SAN); the National Legal Adviser of the PDP, A. K. Ajibade (SAN), Mr. O. M. Atoyebi, (SAN), Mrs. Nella Rabana (SAN), Paul Ogbole (SAN), Nuremi Jimoh (SAN), and Abdul Ibrahim (SAN).

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