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House of Representatives Committee Issues Arrest Warrants for CBN Governor, AGF, and Officials Over Non-Appearance

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has taken a bold step by issuing arrest warrants for the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, the Accountant General of the Federation, Oluwatoyin Madein, and 17 other officials who failed to appear before the committee.

The decision, made during the committee’s Tuesday hearing, was based on a motion adopted by Representative Fred Agbedi (PDP-Bayelsa), who highlighted the non-compliance of the invited officials.

Agbedi argued for the necessity of arrest warrants and proposed that the CEOs be brought before the committee by the Inspector General of Police, following due diligence by Speaker Rep Tajudeen Abbas.

Committee Chairman Rep Michael Irom (APC-Cross River) directed the Inspector General to ensure the presence of these officials on December 14.

The petitioner, Fidelis Uzowanem, had brought the matter to the committee, citing the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) report of 2021 as the basis for his petition.

Uzowanem expressed concern, stating, “We took up the challenge to examine the report and discovered that what NEITI put together is a consolidation of fraud that has been going on in the oil and gas industry since 2016. We put up a petition to this committee to examine what has happened.”

He further revealed details from the NEITI report, claiming, “The 2024 budget of 27.5 trillion that has been proposed can be confidently funded from the recoverable amount that we identified in the NEITI report. It is basically a concealment of illegal transactions that took place in NNPCL; they have been in sync with some oil companies where some companies that did not produce crude were paid cash for an amount designated for crude oil production.”

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Supreme Court Dismisses Ihedioha’s Suit Seeking Certificate of Return in Imo State

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The Supreme Court, on Tuesday, rejected a suit filed by Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, seeking a certificate of return as the rightful Governor of Imo State.

Emeka Ihedioha contested the legitimacy of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, asserting that Uzodinma wasn’t qualified to run for the position. Both candidates had contested against each other in the 2019 governorship election, with Uzodinma representing the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Ihedioha as the candidate of the PDP.

While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially declared Ihedioha as the winner, the Supreme Court later overturned the decision, proclaiming Uzodinma as the authentic winner of the election.

Justice Tijjani Abubakar, in a ruling on Tuesday, dismissed Ihedioha’s application, deeming it lacking in merit and describing it as unnecessary and vexatious. The court awarded a cost of N40 million against Mike Ozekhome for bringing the matter before the court.

The Supreme Court’s decision marks a continuation of the legal battle surrounding the Imo State governorship election, with the ruling reinforcing Uzodinma’s legitimacy as the elected Governor of Imo State.

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Femi Fani-Kayode Refutes Corruption Allegations Against DSS Director-General

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has vehemently denied corruption allegations leveled against the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi. The accusations were made by Jackson Ude, and Fani-Kayode took to his official social media handle on Monday to challenge the credibility of the claims.

In his post, Fani-Kayode declared the allegations of Bichi looting subsidy grants intended for the security agency’s staff as false. Describing Bichi as a hardworking and decent man, as well as a dedicated servant of the nation, the chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) urged Ude to come to Nigeria and present his case in court to substantiate the accusations.

Fani-Kayode stated, “The allegations that were made by @jacksonpbn against the DG @OfficialDSSNG, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, are FALSE. I challenge him to come to Nigeria and go to the courts to prove all he has said against a hard-working & decent man and a dedicated servant of the Nigerian state.”

He further extended an assurance of personal safety for Ude if he chooses to come to Nigeria to address the allegations.

The former minister also praised Bichi for his contributions to national security, highlighting his role in preventing potential threats, including coup attempts and the activities of Islamist terrorists such as Boko Haram and ISWAP. Fani-Kayode emphasized the need to commend Bichi for his efforts in fighting corruption and maintaining stability in the country.

Closing his statement, Fani-Kayode urged Jackson Ude to reconsider the matter from a patriotic standpoint rather than approaching it with partisan politics. He portrayed the DSS boss as a non-political professional deeply committed to democracy and the stability of the Nigerian state.

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Northern Lawyers Rally to Aid Kano Governor’s Supreme Court Appeal with Over 200 Volunteers

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

over 200 private legal practitioners from the 19 Northern states have rallied together under the banner of the “Abba Kabir Yusuf Volunteer Lawyers Forum For The 19 – Northern States And Abuja” to assist Governor Kabir Yusuf of Kano State in his gubernatorial election appeal case at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

During a press briefing held at Arewa House in Kaduna on Sunday, the spokesperson for the lawyers, Yusuf Ibrahim, passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Supreme Court to ensure that Nigeria does not veer towards becoming a one-party state, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy democratic practice.

Expressing their concerns about the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria, the legal practitioners insisted on the paramount importance of upholding the rule of law to ensure that every Nigerian’s vote is counted during elections.

Mr. Ibrahim stated, “We volunteer as private legal practitioners to participate in the litigation in solidarity with Governor Yusuf at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. We want to represent the truth in the fight to reclaim his mandate and that of the people of Kano State.”

The lawyers voiced their dissatisfaction with the Appeal Court judgment favoring the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a clear miscarriage of justice.

In addition to supporting Governor Yusuf, the group also called for a comprehensive overhaul of the Electoral Act. Mr. Ibrahim emphasized, “It is pertinent to state here that the Electoral Act needs a holistic reworking to address these anomalies of our judicial system and democracy if we must save it.”

Highlighting their stance on pre-election matters, the lawyers argued that once a winner has been declared in an election, related issues should no longer be litigable. They suggested that in cases of dispute, re-run elections should be ordered in the affected areas to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

The legal practitioners cautioned against a trend that could diminish the significance of open balloting and casting votes by the general electorate. They expressed concerns that allowing such a trend to continue unchecked could lead to a situation where those familiar with the intricacies of electoral rules would dominate the political landscape.

In their final appeal, the lawyers called on the Supreme Court to resist external interference, safeguard the judiciary’s image, and uphold the rule of law in the interest of a robust and fair democratic system.

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Chairman of BUA Group Rejects APC Appointment

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman of BUA Group, has declined an appointment from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to serve as a member of the party’s Finance Standing Committee.

The announcement came after the APC released lists and names of its standing committees, designating key roles to prominent figures within the party.

On Friday, Ajibola Basiru, the Party’s National Secretary, was appointed as the chair of the establishment committee, while Bisi Akande, a former interim National Chairman, was named to head the conflict and reconciliation committee. The finance committee, where Rabiu was initially included, featured notable figures such as A. A Rano, Zach Adedeji, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, among others.

However, in a statement released shortly after the list was made public, BUA Group clarified that Rabiu had not been consulted by the ruling party before his name was added to the list. The statement emphasized Rabiu’s consistent apolitical stance over the years and conveyed his decision to decline the nomination/appointment due to a lack of prior consultation and his busy schedule.

The statement from BUA Group expressed gratitude to the APC for considering Rabiu for the role, stating, “This acknowledgment reflects the recognition of his commitment, and that of BUA Group, to economic prosperity and the development of our dear nation, Nigeria.”

As of the time of this report, the ruling party had not issued a response to Rabiu’s rejection of the committee’s membership. The inauguration of the committees is scheduled to take place on December 6 at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.

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Edo State Governor Obaseki Addresses Deputy’s Governorship Ambition Amid PDP Forum Discussions

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has asserted that the fate of his deputy, Philip Shaibu, who declared his intention to run for the governorship seat, lies in the hands of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state. The relationship between Obaseki and Shaibu strained when the deputy declared his candidacy for the Edo State governorship election in 2024.

After a closed-door meeting with former Akwa Ibom State Governor Emmanuel Udom and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed at the Ramat House on Thursday, Obaseki addressed journalists. The meeting aimed to discuss matters related to the PDP Governors’ Forum, including Obaseki’s relationship with his deputy and potential ways to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to alleviate the challenges faced by Nigerians.

Governor Obaseki emphasized that he maintains a cordial relationship with Shaibu, acknowledging the deputy’s constitutional right to run for governor. Obaseki highlighted that his vote alone would not determine Shaibu’s candidacy within the PDP, stating, “The party will decide, and also members of the party will decide who will be the flag bearer of the party in the forthcoming governorship election.”

While noting the challenges facing the country, Obaseki expressed the need to collaborate to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians. The discussion also covered broader party issues and the state of the nation.

As the political landscape evolves in Edo State, attention is now on the PDP members’ decision-making process, which will ultimately determine the party’s flag bearer for the upcoming governorship election.

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PDP Criticizes President Tinubu’s 2024 Budget, Labels it Unrealistic and Detrimental to Nigerians

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vehemently criticized President Bola Tinubu over the contents and provisions of the 2024 budget presented to the National Assembly on Wednesday.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the budget of being heavily padded and tailored to cater to the luxurious lifestyles of President Tinubu and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in power.

While President Tinubu had earlier presented a N27.5 trillion budget estimate for the 2024 fiscal year, the PDP, in its response, dubbed the budget unrealistic, asserting that it fails to address the needs of Nigerians. The party further contended that if approved, the budget would exacerbate economic depression for Nigerians due to provisions for increased taxes and multiple loans.

The PDP’s statement called on the National Assembly to reject the 2024 budget, expressing concerns about its potential negative impact on the nation’s economy and the welfare of its citizens.

In the statement, Ologunagba remarked, “The 2024 budget is filled with heavily padded figures, duplicated items and several false statistics, including claims of a global increase in the inflation rate as an excuse for an impending excruciating increase in taxes and interest rates, to the detriment of our productive sector.”

The party criticized the budget’s lack of concrete mechanisms to revive the economy, create jobs, address manufacturing and productive sector challenges, human capital development deficiencies, and depleting life expectancy. The PDP accused the budget of being designed to fund the luxurious appetites of the Presidency and APC leaders through foreign loans and increased taxes on Nigerians.

Highlighting concerns about the budget framework, the PDP cited figures for Recurrent Expenditure, Capital Expenditure, and debt services, deeming them unsustainable and unrealizable given the proposed borrowing targeted at financing consumption and debt servicing.

The statement also expressed dismay at President Tinubu’s acknowledgment of adopting a Naira to US Dollar exchange rate of N750 for 2024, interpreting it as a sign of failure and a lack of direction in managing and growing the economy. The PDP insisted that a transparent, honest, and innovative management of resources would lead to a rapid economic turnaround and strengthen the Naira.

In conclusion, the PDP called on the National Assembly to reject the 2024 budget and exercise its legislative powers to craft provisions critical to the growth of the economy and the welfare of Nigerians.

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BREAKING: Court of Appeal Upholds Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers State Governor

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

The Court of Appeal, Lagos State, has affirmed Siminalayi Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Governor of Rivers State, following the dismissal of a petition filed by Patrick Tonye-Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Patrick Tonye-Cole had contested Fubara’s victory in the governorship election held in March 2023, challenging his declaration as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Present in the courtroom on Tuesday, Tonye-Cole sought the court’s intervention to direct INEC to declare him the winner.

However, the Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had already dismissed Cole’s petition in October, stating that the APC, which sponsored Cole, had withdrawn the petition against Fubara’s victory. Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, the APC candidate proceeded to the Court of Appeal.

In a ruling on Tuesday, the Court of Appeal affirmed the Tribunal’s decision, upholding Fubara’s electoral victory in October. This legal development solidifies Fubara’s position as the duly elected Governor of Rivers State.

The dismissal of the petition by the Court of Appeal marks a significant legal milestone in the post-election disputes in Rivers State, concluding the challenge brought forward by the APC candidate against the governorship election results.

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NNPP Expresses Readiness for Alliance with APC, Affirms Jibrin

by Quicktell News
written by Quicktell News

Abdulmumin Jibrin, the Member representing Kiru/Bebeji constituency in the House of Representatives, has disclosed that the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) is open to forming an alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Jibrin made this announcement on Sunday while hosting 1,000 Ulamas at his country home of Kofa, Bebeji, Kano, for a special prayer session dedicated to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the nation, and the National Leader of NNPP and Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. The Ulamas also prayed for the success of Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the Supreme Court.

During the prayer session, where the clerics read the Quran 1,101 times and offered special prayers, Jibrin expressed that his relationship with President Tinubu is no secret. He further stated that Kwankwaso is his mentor, emphasizing his commitment to supporting a harmonious relationship between the NNPP flag bearer and the president.

Jibrin highlighted that the NNPP, being a promising party, remains open to collaboration, alliance, and merger with the APC, as well as with other parties such as the PDP, LP, or any party that expresses interest, provided it is for the benefit of Nigerians.

As a fourth-term lawmaker, Jibrin pledged to utilize his political network to engage key figures in Kano politics, working towards resolving issues and de-escalating the current tension in the state arising from the Kano Governorship seat. This announcement indicates a potential political realignment in Kano State as parties consider strategic alliances in the lead-up to future elections.

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Tinubu Mediates: Orders Police Withdrawal from Ondo Assembly Premises Amidst Political Crisis

by ONUAH YVONNE
written by ONUAH YVONNE

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the immediate withdrawal of the police from the premises of the Ondo State House of Assembly in Akure, the state capital. This directive came during a crucial meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday night, involving the embattled Ondo Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, state lawmakers, and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The decision to withdraw the police was one of several resolutions reached after almost six hours of intense deliberations aimed at resolving the ongoing political crisis in the state. The deployment of police to the Ondo Assembly premises had followed the service of an impeachment notice to Aiyedatiwa by lawmakers, alleging gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Aiyedatiwa had challenged the impeachment in court and later issued an apology to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, seeking forgiveness for his actions. Meanwhile, the prolonged absence of Governor Akeredolu, who recently returned from a medical vacation abroad, added to the tensions in the state. Supporters of Aiyedatiwa had threatened protests, demanding either the governor’s return or the declaration of Aiyedatiwa as acting governor.

The crisis escalated when lawmakers loyal to the deputy governor sought to elevate him to the position of acting governor. Amidst these developments, notable figures, including the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, and local traditional rulers, appealed to President Tinubu to intervene and prevent a constitutional crisis.

In response to these appeals, President Tinubu summoned Aiyedatiwa, state lawmakers, the state APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin, and other party leaders to Abuja for discussions. The meeting sought to find a resolution to the political impasse and restore stability to the Ondo State political landscape. The withdrawal of police from the Assembly premises is seen as a significant step towards de-escalating tensions and fostering a conducive environment for dialogue and resolution.

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