Politics
Court Of Appeal Dismisses PDP’s Suit Against Tinubu, Shettima
On Friday evening, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to disqualify Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and his running mate, Kassim Shettima, from the 25 February election.
In a unanimous judgment, a three-member panel led by Justice James Abundaga ruled that the PDP did not have the legal standing (locus standi) to bring the case, as they failed to establish a legal basis for it.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the PDP filed an appeal with the appellate court, marked as CA/ABJ/CV/108/2023, requesting a reversal of the 13 January judgment given by Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The previous judgment had dismissed the PDP’s case, citing a lack of legal standing to bring the suit.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima, were respondents in the appeal, while the PDP was the appellant in the case.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had filed a lawsuit on 28 July 2022, challenging the eligibility of Bola Tinubu and Kassim Shettima as the presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively, for the 2023 election.
The suit argued that Kassim Shettima’s nomination as the vice-presidential candidate for the APC was a violation of Sections 29(1), 33, 35, and 84(1)(2) of the amended 2022 Electoral Act.
The party claimed that Shettima had been nominated for two different political offices, which constituted a breach of the electoral laws.
According to the PDP’s lawsuit, Kassim Shettima’s nomination as the APC’s vice-presidential candidate violated the electoral laws because he had not resigned or withdrawn his candidacy for the Borno Central senatorial election at the time of his nomination.
The PDP not only sought the disqualification of the APC, Bola Tinubu, and Kassim Shettima from the 25 February presidential election, but also requested an order nullifying their candidacy in the election.
Additionally, the PDP requested that the court order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove the names of the APC, Bola Tinubu, and Kassim Shettima from the list of nominated or sponsored candidates eligible to participate in the presidential election.
However, the defendants filed a preliminary objection, urging the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.
The defendants argued that the PDP had no legal standing to bring the case since it challenged the APC’s decision and nomination of candidates, which they claimed were within the internal affairs of the party and therefore not justiciable.
They contended that the PDP lacked the legal basis to bring the case before the court.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Abundaga, he concurred with the arguments of the respondents’ lawyers, including Thomas Ojo of Lateef Fagbemi and Co. The judge described the PDP as a busybody that meddled in the internal affairs of the APC.
Justice Abundaga also ruled that the trial court’s decision that the PDP lacked legal standing to bring the case was correct.
The appellant’s lawyer, J.O. Olotu, was ordered to pay a cost of N5 million by the judge.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has expressed the view that his administration is an agent of development that has positively touched all sectors of the Osun society within just two years in office.
He made the pronouncement while presenting Budget 2025 tagged “Budget of Sustainable Growth and Transformation” to the State House of Assembly, with members of the State Executive Council present at an annual event hosted by the House Speaker, Right Honourable Adewale Egbedun.
Gov Adeleke noted that “the total size of the Budget 2025 is Three Hundred and Ninety Billion, Twenty-Eight Million, Two Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty Naira Only (390,028,277,740.00).
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“The expenditure comprises Capital Expenditure of One Hundred and Forty-Four Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-One Million, One Hundred and Eighty-Three Thousand, Eight Hundred Naira (N144,231,183,800.00), Recurrent Expenditure of Two Hundred and Forty-Five Billion, Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million, Ninety-Three Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Naira Only (N245,797,093,940.00).
“Recurrent Expenditure is divided into Personnel cost, which is made up of salaries and allowances, as well as Pensions and Gratuities and stands at One Hundred and Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Five Million, Eight Hundred and Twenty-One Thousand, Ten Naira Only (₦102,895,821,010.00).
The balance of One Hundred and Forty Two Billion, Nine Hundred and One Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Two Thousand, Nine Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦142,901,272,930.00) is set aside.
“Our Revenue consists of Recurrent Revenue, where Government share of FAAC is One Hundred and Ninety-Six billion, Seven Hundred and Seventy-Eight Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand, One Hundred and Eight Naira Only (₦196,778,975,180.00 and Independent Revenue is One Hundred and Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Seventy Million, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty Naira Only (₦109,870,932,830.00).
Other receipts from development partners are Fifty-Three Billion, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Million, Two Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Ten Naira Only (₦53,377,244,610.00).”
He affirmed that his administration has recorded unprecedented progress across the sectors which will be unveiled in details during the midterm anniversary holding for a week later this month, submitting a synopsis to the Assembly.
According to the Governor, “our administration has reduced rural Health Access gap by 40% through rehabilitation of over two hundred Primary healthcare centers; We have increased health care access to all pensioners from less than 10% to 90% within two years;
“We closed road infrastructure gap and deficit by 50% from 80%; we took agric mechanization from 0% to 35%; We built digital economy policy structures from 0% to 55%; We built public service integrity from 25% to almost 70%;
“We expanded local content from 0% to 75%; We built climate agenda from 0% to over 70%; We raised state financial support for cooperative societies from 0% to 66%; We expanded financial support to ward cooperative societies from 0% to over 60%;
“We built Ilesa University from 15% to over 90%; We redeveloped Odeomu Cooperative College to HND institution; We increased Osun Google coverage from 20% to 65%; We launched phased bursary award from 0% to 40%; We liquidated 40% of inherited salary debt;
“We paid up over 35% of inherited pension debt; We improved School infrastructure by over 40 percent; We enhanced rural Infrastructure by over 40 percent with over 300 completed rural projects”, the Governor affirmed, adding that “Osun State has not taken any loan (External or Domestic).
“We rely solely on the prudent management of available resources to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the good people of Osun State. This is our goal and with God on our side we will not derail”, the Governor told the lawmakers.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced a sweeping dissolution of executives across all state boards of government agencies and parastatals.
In a statement released by Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor confirmed that the affected officials are to vacate their positions immediately.
The decision, which was made public on Wednesday, also impacts Permanent Secretaries who were appointed from outside the Edo State Public/Civil Service, as well as political appointees across various government departments.
Governor Okpebholo directed that all outgoing officials hand over government property in their possession to the highest-ranking public officer within their respective agencies or departments.
“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the dissolution of executives of all boards, agencies, and parastatals in Edo State Public Service with immediate effect,” the statement read.
Senator Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa were formally sworn in on Tuesday as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Edo State, respectively.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where Chief Justice Daniel Okungbowa administered the oath of office to the new leaders.
During the ceremony, both officials pledged to uphold the constitution and dedicate themselves to the welfare of Edo State’s citizens. Supporters gathered at the stadium cheered as the oath-taking ceremony proceeded, marking the beginning of a new administration in the state.
Further details are expected as the new government outlines its agenda for the state.
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