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Breaking: FCT lacks special status, equal to all others, Tribunal rules

In a recent development, the Presidential Election Petition Court has clarified that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) does not hold a special status and is not of greater significance than any other state in Nigeria.

Previously, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, asserted in their petitions that President Bola Tinubu had not garnered 25% of the votes in Abuja, which, according to them, rendered his victory in the polls invalid.

However, during the ruling on the preliminary objections raised by the respondents, the panel’s chairman, Justice Haruna Tsammani, explicitly stated that Abuja does not enjoy a unique or elevated status in comparison to other Nigerian states.

He emphasized, “This court acknowledges that the FCT does not possess any special status and is on equal footing with all other states in Nigeria.”

09/06/2023
INEC has freedom to determine election results transmission method, Tribunal rules

The Presidential Election Petitions Court issued a significant ruling on Wednesday, affirming the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) authority to determine the mode of transmitting election results for the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.

Led by Justice Haruna Tsammani, the five-member panel referenced Sections 52 and 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 to emphasize INEC’s discretion in prescribing the method of result transmission during the electoral process.

In response to a petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Tribunal made several key determinations.

The LP and Obi argued for the annulment of President Tinubu’s victory, primarily citing the alleged “failure” of INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (IReV) to electronically upload election results in real-time.

Furthermore, the Tribunal addressed the LP and Obi’s objections regarding the allocation of 25 per cent of the votes to Tinubu in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), asserting that Abuja should be treated no differently than other states.

Additionally, the court delved into the matter of Tinubu’s alleged money laundering conviction in the United States, a claim raised by the petitioners.

However, the Justice Tsammani panel concluded that the petitioners, Obi and the LP, failed to substantiate their assertions, as no concrete evidence of Tinubu’s criminal arrest or conviction was presented.

In essence, this ruling highlights INEC’s authority in determining result transmission methods while addressing and dismissing various allegations and challenges raised by the LP and its presidential candidate in relation to the presidential election of 2023.

09/06/2023
APC’s petition challenging Obi’s LP membership incompetent- Tribunal

The Presidential Tribunal sitting in Abuja on Wednesday in its final ruling, declared APC suit challenging Peter Obi as a bona fide member of the Labour Party as incompetent.

Justice Abba declared that Obi emerging as the flagbearer of the Labour Party was an internal affair and lacks competence in the suit.

The Tribunal also touched on the issue of non-joinder of Atiku Abubakar who came second and wondered how Obi & LP’s petition could be effectively determined without joining the candidate who placed second in the polls.

09/06/2023
Presidential Election: Tribunal strikes out Obi, LP’s claim of irregularities, corrupt practices

The ongoing Presidential Election Tribunal has struck out Mr. Peter Obi, and Labour Party’s allegations of irregularities and corrupt practices leveled against the election that produced Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The court ruling in the preliminary objection held that the affected paragraphs were “vague, imprecise, nebulous and failed to meet the requirements of pleadings”.

The judgement posited that Mr Obi and his party failed to mention the number of lawful votes they scored and the number of the unlawful votes recorded by the electoral body.

The ruling read by Justice Abba Mohammed, insisted that the petitioners failed to establish the polling units or wards were irregularities, corrupt practices and manipulation of results were carried out.

Justice Mohammed explained that “averments” must not leave room for confusion or ambiguity, adding that the aim of pleadings is to avail respondents of the facts of the case so as to prepare adequately.

Mohammed held that, “petitioners failed to specify polling units where anomalies occurred or where agents complained of alleged malpractices and irregularities.

“According to the ruling in a case of alleged malpractices in over 500 polling units, it does not suffice for the petitioners to say some polling units or collation centers without being specific.

“Averments must not be general but specific.”

Further in the ruling, the panel noted the total of over 18, 000 polling units where the petitioners alleged that INEC uploaded “blurred results ” unto the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) Portals, not one polling units was cited.

“They did not specify polling units where election results were not uploaded” or where scores attributed to them was reduced or added to Tinubu”.

“They did not show the majority of votes they claimed they had scored “, the tribunal held, adding that petitioners only make generic allegations of irregularities and malpractices.

Mohammed further faulted the petitioners for relying on a spreadsheet analysis, inspection results and experts reports, adding that such documents ought to be served on the respondents to enable them do their own analysis and respond accordingly.

“The spreadsheet report, inspection results and experts reports were not served but only listed as documents to be relied on in adjudicating the petition”, the court held.

“It is unimaginable that a petitioner will allege widespread rigging in 176,000 Polling units, over 8,000 wards, 774 LGAs, 36 States and FCT without stating the specific place where the alleged irregularities occur.”

Consequent to the above, the tribunal strike out the affected paragraphs as requested by the petitioners.

On Obi’s membership of LP as he was still a PDP member.

The court overruled the respondents claims stating that Obi and LP certified the provisions of Obi being a member.

09/06/2023
BREAKING: Court strikes out APM’s double nomination suit against Shettima, Tinubu

The Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja has struck out the suit filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) accusing Vice-President Kashim Shettima of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of double nomination in the 2023 general elections.

The Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who read the lead judgement, held that an invalid nomination or double nomination did not qualify as a ground for disqualification in respect of the presidential election as provided in sections 131 and 137 of the constitution.

He also held that Mr Ibrahim Masari, who was nominated as a placeholder by the APC (for the position of the Vice President), was not a necessary party to the petition because he was neither a candidate nor did he win the election.

He also held that the question as to the qualification or not of any candidate for any election is a pre-election matter which is outside the jurisdiction of the PEPC.

In addition, he ruled that the matter of qualifications of candidates to contest an election is entirely an internal party matter which non-members have no locus standi to challenge.

09/06/2023
Oyetola directs immediate rehabilitation of Apapa, Tin-Can Ports

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for an immediate rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin-Can ports in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The Minister said this at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters in Lagos in a meeting with the Management and Staff of the Agency shortly after an inspection of facilities at the Lagos Port Complex.

Oyetola, who decried the poor state of the collapsed quay sections of the ports noted that the Federal Government understands the importance of ports as it relates to the nation’s economic development

hence, stressed the need for immediate commencement of infrastructural renewal of ports across the country.

On the need to decongest the ports, the Minister disclosed that he was made to understand that about 6000 containers dating back to 2011 have been abandoned at the ports.

According to him, such an act is a hindrance to better service delivery. He therefore, enjoined NPA to synergize with the Nigeria Customs and auction such containers.

In addition, Oyetola stated that the current practice of physical examination of containers at the ports was an aberration and called for the deployment of scanners at all terminals.

Speaking on the need to rehabilitate the ports access roads and movement to facilitate evacuation of freight through rail from the Apapa port, Oyetola promised to engage the Ministers of Works and Transportation to proffer solutions to these challenges.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, while welcoming the Minister on his maiden visit to the Agency, expressed optimism that his appointment will herald and provide the needed support for the Agency to amongst other things, secure the needed funds and approvals for the construction and rehabilitation of ports infrastructure in the country, restore 24 hour navigation at the Eastern port as well as work out modalities for increased patronage and bottlenecks affecting the Eastern ports.

09/06/2023
Power outage due to warning strike –AEDC

The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC’) has attributed the power outage being experienced in its franchise areas to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) two-day warning strike.

The management of AEDC made this known in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

“We are aware of the general power outage being experienced across our franchise; this is due to enforcement of the two-day warning strike embarked upon by the labour union.

“We apologise for any inconvenience you may be experiencing as a result of this, as we continue our engagement with key stakeholders toward minimising the impact of the strike on our customers,” it said.

AEDC urge their customers to take necessary precautions to manage the outage effectively.

The company advised its customer to unplug sensitive electronic devices and appliances from power sources pending the restoration of power.

“We will continue to provide updates on developments regarding the impact of the strike action on our operations through our official social media handles.

“Thank you for your understanding and continued support during this challenging time. We remain committed to serve you,” it said.

The NLC on Tuesday commenced a two-day nationwide warning strike from September 5 to September 6.

09/05/2023
FCTA’s N34bn ground rent debtors will be penalised, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says owners of landed properties owing the FCT Administration (FCTA) ground rents, amounting to N34 billion would be penalised.

Wike stated this when members of the House of Representatives Adhoc Committee Investigating Failure of Mass Transportation in Nigeria, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He warned allottees owing the FCT Administration ground rents to either pay or have their property revoked and reallocated to those who could pay.

“I have calculated the debt of nonpayment of ground rent, which is about N34 billion, and I am going to collect all of those back. I don’t care, all I want is for the rent to be paid,” he said.

The minister said that the list of the people owing FCTA ground rent would be published on Thursday, adding that they would be given two weeks to pay.

According to him, whoever does not pay, his land will be revoked and be given to whoever will pay so that the necessary services will be rendered.

“People want to live in a beautiful city but don’t want to pay their dues which is impossible.”

He said that the decision became necessary following a decision to tie projects to Internally Generated Revenue to enable contractors complete abandoned projects.

Wike complained about the poor budgetary allocation to the FCT and appealed to the lawmakers to assist in improving its budgetary provisions.

The minister also said that he would overhaul the Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO), expressing displeasure that AUMTCO buses were loaned out without maintenance.

Earlier, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Mr Afam Ogene said that his committee visited the minister to find solutions to epileptic mass transportation in the country and the FCT.

Ogene described the development as “worrisome”, saying that over N16 billion had been invested in mass transportation during the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SUR-P) with little services being rendered.

He expressed relief with the ongoing transformation of the Abuja Light Rail transport system, and traffic lights across the city.

“We are here to encourage you to look into transportation and reorganize it. We will support you to do it and it will also solve problems of one chance in the city,” he pledged.

09/05/2023
NLC commends Nigerians for successful warning strike compliance

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its appreciation to Nigerians for their overwhelming support and dedication in ensuring the success of the first-day warning strike organized by the Congress, which was observed nationwide on Tuesday.

Mr. Joe Ajaero, the President of NLC, conveyed this sentiment in a statement titled, “Our Two-Day Nationwide Warning Strike: First Day of Success,” issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

Recalling the NLC’s earlier communique at the conclusion of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, it had announced the commencement of a two-day nationwide warning strike, scheduled from September 5 to September 6.

Additionally, the NLC had issued a warning of a potential indefinite nationwide strike to occur within either 14 working days or 21 days from the issuance of the communique.

The Congress emphasized that these actions were contingent upon the government’s response to addressing the significant hardships and widespread impoverishment resulting from the removal of subsidies.

According to Ajaero, this is to applaud all Nigerian workers through the actions of all our affiliates and State Councils.

“This is for the massive support and efforts at ensuring that the first day of the nationwide warning strike took off with a resounding success across the nation.

“You have all demonstrated that your words and decisions will always be backed by action.

“This has resonated in every part of the country today and we are sure that the message has been sent to those who doubt our determination to push through with our objectives,”he said.

He added that, we are glad to inform you that all of our objectives for the first day were fully met.

He said this was due to the high level of compliance experienced as a result of all collective efforts around the federation.

The NLC president therefore, commended all for their commitment towards ensuring that the reasons for the warning strike were fulfilled at the time.

“We however urge you all to continue with the same zeal and determination which saw the huge success that was recorded today.

“This is as we move to the second and final day of the nationwide strike to ensure a complete success of the entire exercise.

“While thanking all Nigerian workers and indeed the masses for their understanding as we go through this trying time,” he said.

He however, called for more efforts and urged all to join hands to ensure that all loopholes observed during the first day action were plugged.

He added that, so that tomorrow’s action would be a total success.

“It is our civic duty to ensure that we are governed effectively and that those in government remain accountable to the people at all times!

“We are committed to that and with your continued support, our nation will surely become a better place for all of us,” he said.

09/05/2023
FG to extend social register to fallen soldiers’ families -Minister

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to broaden the national social register and include the families of wounded and deceased soldiers in its poverty alleviation programs.

Dr. Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, revealed this during a meeting with Gen. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, in Abuja.

Edu emphasized the importance of supporting military families and stated, “We want to expand our social register to accommodate military personnel who have been wounded or impacted by war, including soldiers who have left their families behind. We need this data from the military so that we can include them in the social register.”

The minister’s visit to the defense headquarters aimed to seek the Nigerian military’s cooperation in addressing humanitarian crises nationwide. She emphasized that alleviating humanitarian crises and poverty was a top priority for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Our goal is to discuss humanitarian crises across the nation and the need to collaborate with the military to prevent more individuals from falling into the humanitarian bracket. We also aim to effectively reach those affected by humanitarian crises wherever they are, with the military’s support,” Edu explained.

In response, Gen. Musa assured the minister of the Nigerian military’s commitment to supporting her in achieving the ministry’s mandate. He acknowledged the direct link between military operations and humanitarian aid, highlighting that successful organizations directly benefit military efforts.

Gen. Musa expressed gratitude to the humanitarian ministry for considering the military community’s needs and expressed optimism that the collaboration would yield positive results. The engagement aimed to establish a strong alliance between humanitarian efforts and the military to swiftly address the growing crisis and provide immediate assistance to those affected.

09/05/2023