NEWS
Atiku Gives Condition To End Clash With Tinubu
On Thursday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar expressed that he would only end his challenge against President Bola Tinubu if the Supreme Court ruled against him.
At a press conference in Abuja, Atiku highlighted discrepancies in Tinubu’s submitted certificate to the INEC, claiming it should render him ineligible for the election.
Atiku Abubakar confirmed that he has already filed his appeal against Tinubu at the Supreme Court.
He said “It is only when the court rules that he is right that I will drop this fight; in other words, I will drop this fight when the court rules because there is no court higher than the supreme court.”
During the briefing, Atiku emphasized the significance of political leadership and active citizenship, noting that they play crucial roles in building a nation that caters to everyone.
He stressed the idea that the country is larger than any individual and that its global standing impacts the destiny of its inhabitants.
Atiku asserted that, as leaders, it is their responsibility to promote the welfare of all citizens and the overall well-being of the nation.
“For this purpose, my generation worked hard to return the soldiers to the barracks and to defend the right of the people to elect and establish for ourselves a legitimate government. Our elections are established and governed by law and founded on the constitution from which leadership and government in Nigeria alone derive their legitimacy.
“The people look up to us as leaders to respect these rules and, where necessary, to defend them. This is what brings us here.” He said
Atiku underscored that he has once again been called upon by the people to uphold and defend the established rules of elective government in the country.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the constitutional requirements for individuals aspiring to the highest elective office in the land.
He added “It should not take months or, indeed, decades, for the institutions concerned to be able to do their work in establishing the credibility of any certificates presented by candidates for public office.
“We undertook this journey at great cost and for important reasons. The ground rules for legitimate governance in our country need to be upheld, and the reputation of our country is at stake. That affects everyone, Nigerians everywhere
“I am a democrat by conviction and a citizen of a country that I love. The issues at stake in this case require us once more to re-dedicate ourselves to both the country and our constitution,”
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was recently suspended from the Senate, has refuted reports suggesting she apologised over the dispute that led to her suspension.
The Kogi Central lawmaker described the claims as false and insisted she remains resolute in her fight for justice.
In a statement on Monday, Akpoti-Uduaghan reaffirmed her position, vowing not to succumb to intimidation.
READ MORE: Kogi Central Constituents Submit Recall Petition Against Sen. Natasha
“I, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, stand firm in my resolve to never apologise for speaking my truth. The desperation to silence me is palpable, but I will not be intimidated,” she declared.
She alleged that her suspension was politically motivated and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of corruption.
“The games being played in full view of the Nigerian people will be exposed, and the corrupt individuals who have hijacked our institutions will be held accountable,” she added.
Recall that some constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District have taken steps to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan from office.
On Monday, a petition seeking her removal was submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
The document, titled ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’, was presented by Charity Ijese and received by INEC Secretary, Rose Anthony.
The petitioners argued that Akpoti-Uduaghan, who secured her Senate seat through an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023, no longer represents their interests effectively.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended for alleged violations of Senate rules, has taken her case to the international stage, addressing the United Nations Inter-parliamentary conference in New York.
At the forum, she accused Akpabio of victimisation, sexual harassment, and abuse of office, further fueling the controversy surrounding her suspension.
Despite the challenges, she remains defiant, pledging to continue advocating for justice and gender equality.
“I will continue to fight for the rights of Nigerian women and ensure that our voices are heard,” she stated.
A group of constituents from Kogi Central Senatorial District has formally submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the recall of their representative, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
The petition, presented on Monday by Charity Ijese on behalf of the constituents, was received by INEC’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Titled “Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence,” the document outlines allegations of misconduct against the senator.
READ ALSO: Akpabio vs Natasha: Compliments Can Be Misconstrued As Harassment – Ex- Senator
According to the petitioners, the recall effort is in line with Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and INEC’s established regulations.
They accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of engaging in “gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behavior.”
“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator,” the constituents stated. “Her actions have not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but have also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.”
The petitioners claimed to have gathered signatures from more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, calling on INEC to begin the recall process and officially declare her seat vacant.
Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was declared the winner of her senatorial seat by an Appeal Court ruling in October 2023, was recently suspended from the Senate for six months for gross misconduct.
Her suspension followed a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, whom she accused of sexual harassment and abuse of office.
As of now, INEC has not issued a response regarding the petition.
Security operatives have recaptured five out of the twelve inmates who escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, following a security breach in the early hours of Monday.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the inmates exploited a weakness in the facility’s padlocks to orchestrate their escape.
Upon receiving reports of the breakout, the Acting Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, promptly mobilized a coordinated response alongside security agencies and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Kogi State.
READ MORE: 12 Inmates Escape Kogi Prison, Authorities Launch Manhunt
Officials were deployed to restore order, secure the facility, and track down the fleeing inmates.
“As of this moment, five of the fleeing inmates have been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining inmates and bring them to justice,” the statement read.
In response to the incident, the NCoS has launched an investigation to determine how the escape happened. A nationwide security audit of correctional facilities is also underway to prevent similar occurrences.
“The Acting Controller General of Corrections has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the escape. Additionally, a security audit is being conducted across all correctional facilities nationwide to prevent future occurrences,” the statement added.
The NCoS assured the public that efforts are being intensified to strengthen security across correctional centres.
It also urged citizens to report any suspicious movements that could help in apprehending the remaining fugitives.
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