Latest News
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday approved the establishment of the National Philanthropic Office (NPO).
The Vice President, Kashim Shettima made the announcement during the inauguration of the Local Implementation Committee of the NPO at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima assured that the success and positive impact of the newly established office is guaranteed under the President Tinubu administration.
According to him, Tinubu has been a firm believer in giving back to society, and as such, his enduring spirit of bettering the lives of citizens is enough of a guarantee for the NPO to make a huge success and impact.
The Vice President further disclosed that the NPO is set to raise $200 million in grants and non-financial investment through local and international teams to support startups in key sectors of the country’s MSMEs space.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this initiative proposes to raise $200m in grants and non-financial investment, through local and international teams, to provide support to startups in the key sectors within the MSMEs space that drive job creation in Nigeria,” he stated.
Noting President Tinubu’s knack for giving back to society, Shettima said his boss’s commitment to philanthropy had always been the mark of his identity.
“Long before stepping into the realm of public service, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been a steadfast believer in the ideals of giving back to society. This commitment to philanthropy has always defined his identity.
“The Country Chairperson of the National Philanthropic Office (NPO), Mrs. Thelma Ekiyor, can rest assured that this initiative is in secure hands. Mr. President’s enduring spirit of societal betterment is enough to guarantee its success and impact,” the VP stated.
Shettima acknowledged what he called gaps existing in philanthropy, saying “there’s an unmistakable inadequacy of philanthropy,” even as he added that this “has led to the establishment of the National Philanthropic Office.
He said: “Through this office, we aim to kindle a spirit of support for vulnerable enterprises and ideas that hold the key to our collective progress,” he explained, noting that there is no place in the world “where government thrives in isolation, and without collaboration with private individuals and organizations bound by the virtue of empathy, this practice of philanthropy“.
Shedding more light on the operations of the NPO, the VP said, “While the NPO is 100% driven by the private sector, enjoying government support, it thrives on the reality that worldwide, governments are increasingly exploring alternative funding methods for vital projects and economic sectors through collaboration with the private sector.
“The objective is to create twelve industrial value-chain hubs and accelerators nationwide. This will focus on digitized shared workspaces, agro-processing, and shared industries. The overarching aim is to generate one million jobs directly and indirectly within the MSME ecosystem.
“Additionally, eligible MSMEs will receive grants ranging from 5 million to 10 million. Emphasis will be placed on supporting women-led businesses, constituting 50% of the startups.”
While inaugurating the Local Implementation Committee of the NPO, the Vice President implored members of the committee to do their job with a collective vision.
The NPO, an initiative driven 100 percent by the private sector, with full support from the government, is part of efforts by the Tinubu-led federal government to raise alternative funding for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMSEs) and other vital economic programmes through collaboration with the private sector.
The office is saddled with the responsibility of establishing 12 industrial value-chain hubs and accelerators for startups and small businesses across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
On her part, the Country Chairperson of the NPO, Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke, said Philanthropy and Impact Investing are two important avenues of supporting MSMEs that can encourage innovation and provide catalytic capital to entrepreneurs.
She noted and commended the Vice President’s visionary commitment to the initiative, saying it will transform philanthropy and impact the country’s investing landscape.
Ekiyor-Solanke disclosed that, among other programmes, the office will support the establishment of 12 shared office spaces for StartUps across the six geopolitical zones.
Members of the Local Implementation Committee chaired by Ms Thelma Ekiyor-Solanke include the Managing Director of Wema Bank, Mr Moruf Oseni; Managing Director of Bank of Industry, Mr Olasupo Olusi; Managing Director of Access Bank, Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna; Chairman, Impact Investors Foundation, Mr Afolabi Oladele, and Founder, Sambo Foundation, HRH, Samuel Sambo.
Others are the Managing Director of BUA Foundation, Mr Ubon Udoh; Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr Felix Ogbe; CEO of Brownvalley Partners, Mr Terlumun Ikya, and Mrs Ayodele Olojede from Wema Bank, while Mr Temitola Adekunle-Johnson will serve as Secretary of the committee.
Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, have arrested a scavenger who kidnapped an eight years old girl in Akure, the state capital.
The suspect who disguised as a scavenger abducted the girl and put her in a sack after hitting her with an object suspected to be charms.
Luck however ran out of him when the young girl started crying, attracting her grandmother who raised the alarm and the suspected kidnapper was apprehended by men of the Amotekun at the area.
Speaking, the 30-year-old father of the victim, Mr Bose James, said; “I was outside, washing my clothes and my mother was inside watching television. My little daughter, who is eight years old said that she wants to use the toilet and I asked her to go to the backyard to do that.
"Her cries attracted my mother’s attention who went to the backyard and confirmed that an “Aboki’ whom we mistook for a scavenger had kidnapped and hidden her inside a sack.
"It was my mother who ‘shout for help’ that made me rushed there and before I could get there, he had hit my mother with a heavy wood on her chest while she was struggling to rescue my child from him
"The kidnapper continued to attack whoever attempted to rescue my child from him, but I held on to him, preventing him from escaping.
“It was an Okada man who saw the scene that alerted men of Amotekun Corps stationed at Maronu area who swiftly arrived, rescued the girl and arrested the suspected kidnapper."
Speaking on the arrest of the suspect, the State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, explained that the cry of the young girl attracted the residents of the area.
According to him, the suspect who pretended as a scavenger attempted to run away with the girl while the grandmother of the girl raised the alarm
“The alarm raised by the woman attracted the residents who attacked the suspect with different objects and attempted to burn him but they were stopped by men of Amotekun operatives who subsequently arrested the suspect,” he explained.
"Upon interrogation, we discovered that he is actually a kidnapper and he confessed that he has been in the trade for a while. Investigation continues on his case before we would finally hand him over to the court.
"Luckily, the eight years old child is mentally okay, despite the degree of the injury she sustained from the firewood attack, she is equally responding to treatment from our health facility”, he explained.
Adeleye warned parents and guardian to always keep an eye on their children anytime they are playing around, saying, “all these scavengers, majority of them are armed robbers who are surveying your premises and come to attack you in the night, most of them are informants to kidnappers and armed robbers.
"So we are seriously discouraging the scavengers within our society and I want to appeal to members of the public, to be more watchful and careful this times with their children.
"The long arm of the law has caught up with this one and we will make sure diligent prosecution is carried out to serve as a deterrent to others who are into the trade.
"Like we have been telling members of the public, we remain resolute and committed to the provision of adequate security of lives and property to residents in Ondo State
"Equally, we want to plead with them to always avail us with timely and quality information that we can act on and we are also reassuring them that the state is safe, economically viable and we assure investors to come into Ondo State and transact business without any fear of robbery attacks and kidnapping.
“Again, like we told you in November, that there was not going to be any robbery or kidnap incidents and till date, all such attempts have been foiled by officers and men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps and other security agencies through our joint patrol team, comprising of the Army, police, NSCDC the DSS, the Correctional Centres and the Amotekun Corps.”
Betta Edu’s return doubtful as Tinubu suspends cash transfer, N’Power, other poverty alleviation programmes
AdminThe suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Betta Edu, may not return to office, investigations by PUNCH.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, disclosed this in a statement that the action of the President was in line with his avowed commitment to uphold what he described as the highest standards of integrity and accountability.
“In line with his avowed commitment to uphold the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the management of the commonwealth of Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu suspends the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, from office with immediate effect,” Ngelale said in the statement.
Presidential sources told one of our correspondents that it would be difficult for the embattled minister to return to office, adding that the alleged scandal in the ministry was more than what “is before the public.”
Let Us Take You On A Reflection Journey Through The Notable Occurrences Of 20230:02 / 1:01
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to comment on the matter said, “What we have in that ministry is more than what we have seen. I can tell you that Edu may not return to the ministry of even return as a minister.
“She may not be the only one involved. But as it stands now, she should forget the idea or dream of her returning to the Federal Executive Council. In fact, she is gone.”
President Bola Tinubu had on Sunday directed a comprehensive inquiry into the multi-million naira N585m scandal in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
EFCC investigators had held sessions with the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, ex-minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq, and Halima Shehu, the suspended National Coordinator and CEO of the National Social Investment Programme, an agency under the humanitarian ministry.
While Edu is being investigated for authorising the transfer of N585m into the private account of an accountant in the ministry, Bridget Oniyelu, Umar-Farouq, who served as a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was under the searchlight over alleged N37.1bn money laundering.
Shehu on the other hand was being questioned for allegedly moving N44bn NSIP funds into some private and corporate accounts without presidential approval.
The investigation into the sleaze in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has deepened on as EFCC investigators have continued quizzing several top civil servants linked to the scandals.
This was learnt that the ICPC recovered over N50bn from the humanitarian affairs ministry in 2023.
The money, which was about to be embezzled was recovered by the ICPC between July and August 2023 and was later paid into the Central Bank of Nigeria by the commission.
Information gathered that the fund which was meant for vulnerable citizens during the tenure of former Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouq was blocked during attempts to transfer it into private bank accounts and recovered by the ICPC under its former Chairman, Bolaji Owasanoye.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government on Friday announced that President Bola Tinubu had suspended all administered programmes by the National Social Investment Programme Agency.
All four programmes administered by NSIPA, viz; N- Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme have been suspended for a period of six weeks in the first instance.
The move followed recommendations made to the President by the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, over monumental fraud running into over N81.6bn, which was uncovered in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
Announcing the suspension of NSIPA in a statement on Friday, the Director Information, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said the president’s decision was in view of the “ongoing investigation of alleged malfeasance in the management of the agency and its programmes,”
According to the statement, Tinubu also constituted a ministerial panel to conduct a thorough review of the agency’s operations to recommend necessary reforms of the NSIPA.
The statement added, “All four Programmes administered by NSIPA, viz; N- Power Programme, Conditional Cash Transfer Programme, Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme and Home Grown School Feeding Programme (the “Programs”) have been suspended for a period of six weeks in the first instance.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also raised significant concerns regarding operational lapses and improprieties surrounding payments to the Programs’ beneficiaries.
“During the period of this suspension, all NSIPA-related activities, including but not limited to all distributions, events, payments, collaborations and registrations are now frozen.”
Tinubu also assured Nigerians, including stakeholders, that his administration remained committed to a swift and unbiased process that would ensure that social intervention programmes would work as intended to the benefit of the most vulnerable Nigerians.
Meanwhile, a senior government official who spoke on the condition of anonymity, informed our correspondent that the action of the President over NSIPA was part of the recommendations in the report on the social investment programme submitted by the ICPC to the President last year following the return of over N50bn recovered from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to the Federal Government.
An impeccable government source told our correspondent that the N50bn was subsequently handed over to the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.
Confirming the development, the source stated, “The funds were recovered when former President Muhammadu Buhari and Umar-Farouq were leaving office and President Tinubu had yet to appoint a new humanitarian affairs minister.
“President Tinubu, upon the appointment of the now suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, ordered the Accountant-General of the Federation to refund the money to the ministry as part of the Infrastructure Support Fund for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.’’
“The refunded sum is part of the N44bn allegedly laundered in the National Social Investment Programme Agency and the N585m Edu authorised for disbursement.’’
Throwing more light on the interception and recovery of the fund, another source explained, “During the naira scarcity between late 2022 and 2023, the ICPC under Prof Owasanoye blocked and recovered the sum of N50bn from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.
“The first sum that was blocked and recovered was N32bn, but when the commission probed further, another N18bn was blocked and recovered from the ministry. The ICPC discovered that the money was meant for the vulnerable and the poor people in the country which the ministry under the former minister, Umar-Farouq, could not distribute due to the scarcity of currency during the naira redesign period.
“The money was paid into the coffers of the government between July and August 2023. Some officials in the ministry attempted to disburse the funds into private accounts during the time the former minister was no longer active in office and there was no new minister last year. The ICPC immediately blocked the money after discovering the suspicious and fraudulent manner in which it was to be distributed, and it was recovered.
“After President Tinubu announced the Infrastructure Support Fund for the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal, the Federal Government paid the money into the coffers of the Humanitarian Affairs Ministry under Betta Edu, being the ministry in charge poverty alleviation projects.”
In continuation of their probe, EFCC detectives have continued to question many senior civil servants in the humanitarian affairs ministry, even as of Friday.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to revisit the probe of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, over alleged N70bn money laundering while he was the Zamfara State governor.
Olukoyede made the development known in Abuja on Friday through the EFCC’s acting Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, who spoke with journalists following a protest by the Zamfara Alternative Forum at the EFCC headquarters, Jabi, Abuja.
Members of the group stormed the EFCC headquarters on Friday in protest, urging the commission to revisit the probe.
Speaking during the protest, the group’s spokesperson, Mahmud Abubakar, urged the EFCC to resume its investigation.
He said, “The Zamfara Alternative Forum urges the EFCC to resume its investigation of former Governor Bello Matawalle over the N70bn fraud uncovered by the commission during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in corrupt practices in public office, especially in addition to what happened to the humanitarian minister.
“The mismanagement of public funds has far-reaching effects on the people and the state. It leads to a lack of development, a loss of revenue, and a decrease in the quality of life for the people.”
Reacting to the development, Uwujaren said, “I want to thank the Zamfara Alternative Forum for doing this peacefully. We like this kind of peaceful protest and initiative by young Nigerians. I want to assure you that, as far as the commission is concerned, nobody is above the law.
“What the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has done since assuming office is that he has reviewed all the high-profile cases he inherited.
Humanitarian ministry scandals: EFCC seizes Edu, former minister’s passports
“And the EFCC Chairman has asked me to assure you that this case, like others, would not be an exception. The case will be reviewed, and the Chairman assures you that something will be done under the law, and no one is above the law and no case shall be swept under the carpet.
“Be rest assured that this case will be revisited because the EFCC believes that no case should be swept under the carpet. If you have done something wrong and our investigation is able to establish that you have a case, we will proceed with the matter.”
On May 18, 2023, the EFCC, through its Director, Media and Publicity Affairs, Osita Nwajah, said Matawalle was being investigated by the commission over allegations of monumental corruption, award of phantom contracts, and diversion of over N70bn.
“The money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.
“The commission’s investigations revealed that more than 100 companies received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.
“Some of the contractors who had been invited and quizzed by the commission made startling revelations on how they were allegedly compelled by the governor to return the funds received from the state coffers back to him through his aides after converting the same to United States dollars,” Nwajah had said.
The EFCC had noted that the money, which was sourced as a loan from an old-generation bank purportedly for the execution of projects across the local government areas of the state, was allegedly diverted by the former governor through proxies and contractors who received payment for contracts that were not executed.
The commission’s investigations further revealed that several companies had received payments from the funds, with no evidence of service rendered to the state.
Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has reacted to the Supreme Court ruling that upheld his victory.
Naija News had earlier reported that the Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the duly elected Governor of Lagos State.
Justice Garba Lawal, who read the lead judgment of the apex court, dismissed the appeal filed by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP).
He held that the deputy governor of Lagos, Obafemi Hamzat, was duly qualified to contest the March 18, 2023, governorship election.
However, reacting to the Supreme Court ruling in statement via his official X handle, , Sanwo-Olu invited members of opposition parties to work with his government. He said that the Supreme Court verdict re-validates the trust and confidence of the people in his administration.
He wrote, “I’m grateful for the Supreme Court’s affirmation of my election as Governor of Lagos State.
“An affirmation that revalidates the trust and confidence our people have placed in our vision for a greater Lagos. Thank you all for your unwavering support.
“Like I always say, there are no victors and no vanquished. I invite those still on the fence to join our train of progressive governance. We run an inclusive government and do not claim a monopoly of ideas.
“@drobafemihamzat and I are privileged to have been elected to serve at this auspicious moment in the history of our state. Let’s continue working together to build a Lagos that thrives, progresses, and uplifts every resident.
“The journey continues, and our commitment remains steadfast.”
…Special C’ttee to lead Ighodalo, introduce him to all stakeholders in Edo Central as sole aspirant
The Edo Central Senatorial District Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted frontline governorship aspirant and former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, as its consensus governorship aspirant.
The resolution was announced during the Edo Central PDP Caucus meeting chaired by the Senatorial Vice Chairman of the party, Archbishop Anthony Okosun.
The party’s decision followed the report of the Edo Central PDP Special Committee chaired by the National Leader, High Chief Tom Ikimi.
Archbishop Anthony Okosun, in a press statement made available to journalists after the meeting, said the Senatorial Caucus accepted the recommendation of the Special Committee and adopted Barr. Asue Ighodalo as the consensus aspirant of the PDP from Edo Central Senatorial District.
According to him, “The Edo Central PDP Caucus met today, Thursday, January 11, 2024, in the PDP Senatorial District Secretariat in Uromi. The meeting was chaired by the Senatorial Vice Chairman of the party, Archbishop Anthony Okosun in accordance with section 20(1)(a) of the 2017 PDP Constitution (as amended).
“The caucus in accordance with its functions as spelt out in section 20(2), considered the report of the Edo Central PDP Special Committee chaired by the National Leader, High Chief Tom Ikimi.”
The statement enumerated the resolutions adopted by the Senatorial District to include, “1. The Senatorial Caucus applauded the members of the Special Committee for the diligence and transparency they applied in carrying out their assignment.
“2. The Senatorial Caucus accepted the recommendation of the Special Committee and adopted Barr. Asue Ighodalo as the consensus aspirant of the PDP from Edo Central Senatorial District.
“3. The Senatorial Caucus noted that the adoption of Barr. Asue Ighodalo is without prejudice to the right of any other aspirant to pursue his or her aspiration.”
Okosun added, “The Senatorial Caucus mandated the Special Committee to lead Barr. Asue Ighodalo and introduce him to all stakeholders in the state as the consensus aspirant of the Edo Central PDP.”
L-R: Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Joe Okojie; past senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Sen. Clifford Ordia; Secretary, Edo PDP Senatorial Caucus, Central, Barr. Luckson Ogendengbe; National Leader of the PDP, High Chief Tom Ikimi; Edo PDP Senatorial Vice Chairman, Central and Senatorial Caucus Chairman, Archbishop Anthony Okosun, and Deputy Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marie Edeko, during the Edo Central PDP Caucus meeting, in Uromi, on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of Ebonyi State.
The apex court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, dismissing the appeal of Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for lacking in merit.
Last November, the Court of Appeal in Lagos affirmed the election of Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi State in the March 18 governorship election.
The three-member panel presided over by Justice Jummai Sankey, in its unanimous decision, dismissed the appeal filed by Odii and upheld the earlier verdict of the tribunal but the PDP candidate approached the apex court to seek redress.
The panel also resolved all the five issues raised against the appellant and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit.
Justice Sankey had held that the PDP and its candidate lacked the legal right to meddle in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress as it relates to the nomination of candidates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the Nwifuru as the winner of the March 18 poll in Ebonyi State.
Nwifuru polled 199,131 to defeat Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 80,191 and the Ben Odo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who got 52,189.
The Supreme Court has reversed the sack of Caleb Mutfwang, affirming him as Governor of Plateau State.
On November 19, the court of appeal in Abuja sacked Mutfwang as governor of the state. The appellate court held that the PDP violated the court order and ordered that a valid congress be conducted in the 17 Local Government Areas of Plateau.
The court said the party conducted congress in only five LGAs of the state “which amounted to a nullity.”
But a five-member panel led by Justice Emmanuel Agim reversed the decision of the appellate court for being perverse because the issue of the primary election that produced Mutfwang was outside the jurisdiction of the lower court.
The apex court pointed out that the validity of nomination and sponsorship is not a valid ground to void an election.
He held that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain it, besides the issue of sponsorship has elapsed long ago, adding that the petitioners not being members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PD) have no locus to challenge the party’s primary election.
On the issue of whether the order of the Plateau State High Court can affect the National Executive Committee (NEC), the apex court held that the appellate court was wrong in holding that the order affects the NEC.
Justice Agim further stated that the issue of primary is an internal matters of political parties which both the Tribunal and Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction.
Agim also pointed out that contrary to the claim of the petitioners and the judgment of the appellate court the order of the Plateau High Court was not disobeyed by the PDP as evidence showed that a fresh primary was conducted.
He warned the legal profession to wake up or else it would render itself irrelevant to the society.
The Presiding Justice, John Okoro also lamented that a lot of people have suffered because of the wrongful judgments of the appellate court which had sacked several legislators who won elections under the platform of the PDP.
In her submission, Justice Helen Ogunwumiju also berated the appellate court for going into the issue of nomination and sponsorship despite several decisions of the apex court to the effect that another political party cannot challenge the primary election of another.
Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 525,299 votes to beat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes during the 18 March governorship poll in Plateau State.
The governor’s election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the state capital.
However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in its judgement delivered on 19 November 2023, overturned Mr Mutfwang’s victory, prompting him to file an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the lower court’s decision.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has reacted to the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed him as governor, saying he feels extremely happy.
Briefing reporters at the premises of the apex court on Friday in Abuja, the governor said the apex court declared that there is no illegality regarding the Kano State governorship election.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the contentious 165,616 ballot papers were issued by them.
“I am extremely happy with the judgement of the Supreme Court that took place today, January 12, 2024. I feel extremely happy, as you can see, so many people are happy and cheering,” he stated.
In its ruling, the Supreme Court restored Yusuf’s votes that were cancelled by the Court of Appeal and the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on the basis that the ballot papers were not signed.
Justice John Okoro, who read the lead Judgement, said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the governorship election of March 18, 2023.
In the judgement, Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting 165,616 votes accrued to Yusuf in the election because the ballot papers were not signed and stamped by officials of INEC.
When asked about his position on the lower court’s deduction of his votes, Governor Yusuf said the apex court’s position is that there is no illegality regarding the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
“The Supreme Court has confirmed that there is no illegality as far as the election is concerned. They were saying illegal ballot papers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the ballot papers belong to them, they were issued by them.
“The Supreme Court justices have just confirmed also that there is no illegality, so people are aware.”
‘Justified’
The governor said he feels justified with the apex court’s decision on his electoral victory last year, saying the controversy trailing the election has been set aside.
He commended the people of Kano State for supporting his administration within the past seven months as well as Nigerians across the world who stood by him.
“I feel justified, I feel that issue has been set aside because there was no justification whatsoever. Well, my good people, the first thing is to say a big thank you to everybody for all the support, and prayers that have been rendered for the last seven months of our administration.
“I just want to say a very big thank you to everybody, not only Kano State people but the entire good people of Nigeria as well as other people across the globe,” Yusuf said.
The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Abba Yusuf as Governor of Kano State, reversing the decision of the Court of Appeal and the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which sacked the governor.
Justice John Okoro, who read the lead Judgement, said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the governorship election of March 18, 2023.
In determining the case, the apex court raised two issues: whether the lower court was right in deducting 165,616 from the votes the Independent National Electoral Commission announced for the governor and whether the lower court could determine the issue of party membership.
In the judgement, Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting 165,616 votes accrued to Yusuf in the election on the grounds that the ballot papers were not signed and stamped by officials of INEC.
According to him, Section 71 of the Electoral Act relied upon by the tribunal to deduct the disputed votes does not apply in the instant case.
The Supreme Court panel of five Justices, subsequently went ahead to restore the deducted 165,616 votes to reinstate the victory of Yusuf in the governorship election.
On the second issue, the Supreme Court again faulted the Court of Appeal for holding that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP as of the time he contested the election, adding that the issue of nomination and sponsorship is a pre-election matter and outside the jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Okoro observed that contrary to the appellate court, the tribunal never held that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the poll but that his name was not in the NNPP’s membership register submitted to INEC.
The apex court subsequently set aside the judgment of the two lower courts for being perverse and restored the electoral victory of Abba Yusuf.
Gov Yusuf’s Court Of Appeal Sack
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Moore Adumein, in a unanimous judgement in November, sacked Governor Yusuf and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the 18 March election in Kano State.
The Court of Appeal, in addition to that, disqualified Governor Yusuf as a candidate in the election, on the grounds that he was not a member of the NNPP as of the time of the election.
The three-person panel would also deduct 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total votes claiming the votes are invalid because the ballot papers were not stamped or signed.
In its judgement, the court maintained it acted in the public interest when it permitted the APC to tender papers during the trial since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had given the APC access to materials piecemeal to undermine the petitioner’s claim.
It also ruled that the 1999 Constitution did not support Yusuf’s lawyer, Wole Olanipekun’s contention that the APC should have included its candidate Yusuf Ganuwa as a party in the tribunal proceedings because a candidate is allowed to be represented by his political party during legal procedures.
According to the court, political parties are required by the 1999 Constitution to maintain a membership register and provide it to INEC and the tribunal upon request.
More...
The Supreme court has affirmed the election of Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Bauchi State governor.
The apex court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal and dismissed the appeal by Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress for lacking in merit.
The appellate court had in November affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed in the March 18 governorship election.
This followed earlier judgement by the tribunal upholding Mohammed’s victory.
In the Court of Appeal judgement, the panel of three justices were unanimous, awarding no cost as the court ruled that each party to the matter should bear their costs.
The presiding judge, Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa, read the judgment in the order of the appellant’s plea before the appeal court.
On plea number one, the appellant had pleaded that the election be nullified because the forms and booklets used in the election were not properly filled. The court ruled that the appellant failed to prove this allegation with the needed evidence.
Supreme Court Affirms Sanwo-Olu’s Election As Lagos State Governor - Dismisses LP, PDP’s Appeals
AdminThe supreme court has affirmed the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Governor of Lagos State.
The five member panel in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justices Lawal Garba and Adamu Jauro, affirmed the declaration of the APC’s candidate as winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election, after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his victory.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP), who came second and Abdulazeez Adediran popularly known as Jandor of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who came third had challenged the election of Sanwo-Olu on grounds of alleged irregularities, malpractices non-compliance as well as non-qualification.
They had specifically argued that the Deputy Governor, who acquired citizenship of the United States of America, is not qualified to contest elective position and as such his nomination as deputy Governor was unlawful null and void.
They also argued that his alleged unlawful nomination affects the qualification of Sanwo-Olu, hence the court should nullify their participation in the governorship election.
However, both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal in their respective decisions dismissed the two appeals for failure to prove allegations made in their petitions.
The apex court in its judgement, held that it has found no cogent reason to deviate from the concurrent judgments of the tribunal and Court of Appeal which held that Sanwo-Olu was lawfully elected as Governor of Lagos State.
The appellate court in a unanimous judgement held that acquisition of a foreign national those not bar any citizen by birth from contesting election.
Justice Lawal stated that the only condition a citizen with dual citizen can lose his right to be elected as governor is when he denounces his Nigerian citizenship by birth.
The apex court subsequently dismissed the two appeals for lacking in merit.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC had polled 762,134 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Rhodes-Vivour, who scored 312,329 votes, with Jandor coming a distant third with 62,449 votes.
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Zamfara Governor.
The apex court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had declared the Governorship Election as inconclusive and ordered a re-run in three Local Government Areas of the state.
The Court of Appeal had in November nullified the election of Lawal’s election.
He was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election. In a shocking victory that dislodged then-incumbent Bello Matawalle of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he polled a total of 377,726 votes. Matawalle scored 311,976 votes.
The APC candidate, now serving as the Minister of State for Defence, had accused INEC of subverting his victory at the poll by failing to include the results of some ward areas.
In an earlier ruling on September 18, the Zamfara Election Petitions Tribunal held that the petition was devoid of merit. While upholding Lawal’s victory, the tribunal awarded the N500,000 fine against the petitioners.
An unsatisfied Matawalle, as observers expected, took the matter to the Court of Appeal in Abuja, to challenge the decision of the lower court.
Respite came for Matawalle at the appellate court as the three-member panel led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi, nullified the return of Governor Lawal as the winner of the governorship poll.
Justice Sybil Nwaka ordered INEC to conduct a fresh election in three local government areas of the state, where elections had not been held previously or where results from various polling units were not counted.
But the governor proceeded to the apex court to seek redress.
Kano State citizens, particularly in the capital, are in anxiety as they anticipate the Supreme Court ruling on the Kano Governorship election today.
According to reports, financial institutions and schools are shut in anticipation of the violence that may erupt after the verdict.
The Supreme Court is expected to deliver a ruling that would determine if the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party’s (NNPP) at the 2023 governorship election in Kano, Abba Yusuf, will continue in his role as state governor.
The embattled Governor is seeking a ruling from the Supreme Court that will overturn the ruling of the Kano Election tribunal and the Court of Appeal that sacked him and declared the candidate of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) winner of the governorship poll.
However, the highly anticipated ruling has created a noticeable sense of unease in the city due to audible indications of unrest prompted by statements made by APC and NNPP members.
Due to increased tension and security risks, private schools in the city have already halted their regular operations. Our reporter has received communications from private schools verifying the closure of schools on Friday, even though the government has not yet declared the shutdown.
Naija News recalls that the state’s Police Command has, however guaranteed the safety of people and property both during and after the ruling.
Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Gumel, told reporters at the Bompai Police Headquarters on Thursday that the state’s security apparatus had put in place measures to preserve peace and serenity.
The police chief allayed residents’ concerns and asked them to go about their legitimate business without fear of harassment or molestation.
[NaijaNews]