NEWS
Electoral Act: Senate resolves to appeal against court ruling on section 84(12)
By John Akubo
Senate on wednesday resolved to appeal the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abia State, which nullified the controversial section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.
This was coming following a motion on Urgent need to appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court Umuhia on Suit Number FHC/UM/CS/26/2022.
The section requires ministers, head of agencies and other political appointees to resign before participating in primaries, convention and other electoral activities.
However, the Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, on Friday nullified Section 84(12), saying it was a violation of the provisions of the constitution.
The judge specifically asked the attorney general to delete the said section from the act
Senator George Seikibo and 81 other senators sponsored the motion.
In a unanimous resolution the senators agreed to appeal the judgement suit marked FHC/UM/SC/26/2022 for the court to set aside the judgement.
While presenting the motion senator Seiko indicated that, noted that the Electoral Act 2022 enacted by the National Assembly followed due process of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as given above.
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“The Senate opines that section 84 (12) of the 2022 Electoral Act exclusively refers to nomination conventions and congresses called for candidate selection and not participation in the general election which Sections 66(1)(f), 107(1)(f), 137(1)(g) and 182(1)(g) were referring to;
He expressed the believe that the interpretation of the meaning of the words ‘civil service’ and ‘public service’ as provided in Part IV: Interpretation, Citation and Commencement in Section 318 is unambiguous as given below:
Part IV: Interpretation, Citation and Commencement
318, (1) In this Constitution, unless it is otherwise expressly provided or the context otherwise requires-
“civil service of the Federation” means service of the Federation in a civil capacity as staff of the office of the President, the Vice-President, a ministry or department of the government of the Federation assigned with the responsibility for any business of the Government of the Federation;
“public service of the Federation” means the service of the Federation in any capacity in respect of the Government of the Federation, and includes service as
(a) Clerk or other staff of the National Assembly or of each House of the National Assembly; (b) member of staff of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, the National Industrial Court, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, or other courts established for the Federation by this Constitution and by an Act of the National Assembly
f)Member of staff of ary commission or authority established for the Federation by this Constitution or by any Act of the National Assembly; Government of the Federation;
g)staff of any company or enterprise in which the Government of the Federation or its agency owns controlling shares or interests; and
h)members or officers of the armed forces of the Federation or the Nigerian Police Force or other government security agencies established by law
He therefore noted that there is a difference between the civil service or public service and political appointment
Hence he said there is every need the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should show concern on the judgement especially when she was not given opportunity to represent herself in a matter such as this that emanates from her legitimate functions
He further expressed the believe that letting this judgment go without concern will become a precedence on which any person could go to the court and obtain judgment to ridicule the good intentions of the National Assembly as an institution.
NEWS
Adamawa SSG Identifies Three Priorities for Tackling Nigeria’s Security Challenges
The Secretary to the Adamawa State Government, Awwal D. Tukur, has identified intelligence gathering, timely information sharing and proactive security strategies as key priorities for tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Tukur stated this while delivering a welcome address on behalf of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the opening ceremony of the Federal and State Security Administrators’ Meeting in Yola, Adamawa State on Thursday.
Welcoming delegates to the state, he said, “It is my honor and privilege to welcome you all on behalf of the government and the good people of Adamawa State to the capital city of Yola for this federal and state security administrators’ meeting.”
He described the gathering as an important platform for collaboration between federal intelligence institutions and state and local government administrations.
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“As a premier security engagement forum, the FSSAM plays an indispensable role. It provides a unique, highly collaborative platform where federal intelligence frameworks meet the practical day-to-day realities of state and local government administration,” Tukur said.
The Adamawa SSG noted that Nigeria faces evolving security challenges, including insurgency, cross-border criminality and internal civil cleavages.
“No doubt, our nation is facing evolving and fast-moving security challenges, ranging from complex insurgency and cross-border criminality to internal civil cleavages. The mandate of this initiative is therefore, the more pressing,” he said.
Tukur outlined three key tasks for participants during the two-day meeting, stressing the need to identify emerging threats, improve intelligence sharing and develop practical strategies to address security challenges.
“To my mind, the collective task of this forum over the next two days is clear,” he said.
He listed the priorities as identifying and evaluating emerging security indicators; reviewing methods for generating actionable intelligence and sharing it with relevant authorities in a clear, precise and timely manner; and proposing practical strategies to anticipate and contain present and future security threats within communities.
Tukur also highlighted Adamawa State’s efforts to prioritise intelligence gathering under Governor Fintiri’s leadership.
“Under the dynamic and visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Adamawa State has consistently prioritized intelligence in the sector. Community-centered intelligence networks and robust logistical support for our security formation,” he said.
He added that hosting the meeting reflected the state’s commitment to supporting national security efforts.
“Host of this meeting reflects the test part of the commitments on unwavering commitment to contributing meaningfully to the national security architecture,” Tukur said.
NEWS
‘Celebrate This Poor Man’ – Shettima Defends Tinubu Over Economic Crisis
Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged Nigerians to celebrate President Bola Tinubu, saying his leadership saved the country from a potential implosion.
Shettima said Nigeria’s economy had been teetering on the edge of collapse before Tinubu’s intervention, adding that the country could have faced a different situation.
“The economy was teetering on the edge of collapse, we were on a cliff edge,” the Vice President said.
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“So he literally saved the nation from an implosion. That could have been the scenario. So, instead of demonizing him, Nigerians ought to celebrate this poor man.”
Shettima also called for a return to the drawing board, expressing confidence in the leadership’s commitment and the prospects for the 2027 elections.
“I believe on the bottom of my heart that with this presentation I have seen, and with the commitment of our leadership, by the grace of God, we are going to win,” he said.
Speaking about the 2027 elections, the Vice President reminded his audience that social media platforms should not be mistaken for actual polling stations.
“There are no polling stations on Facebook or Instagram,” he said.
Shettima also expressed gratitude for the efforts made towards promoting the cause of the 2027 elections.
NEWS
FG Withdraws Charges Against ‘Fake Agency’ DG, Adeniyi Adeyemi
Following observed mis-steps, the Federal Government of Nigeria has withdrawn the eight-count criminal charge brought against the alleged fake Director General (DG) of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Biztellers reports that the matter, in accordance with the counsel of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, (SAN), the matter will be filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), instead of the Federal High Court (FHC).
Consequently, upon an unopposed application for termination by the prosecution counsel and Director of the Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on Monday, Justice Mohammed Umar of a Federal High Court, Abuja on Monday, struck out the matter.
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In a motion for the termination of the charges, Oyedepo informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice has carried out a review of the case file of Adeyemi and the charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and found some loopholes.
The DPPF added that the documents allegedly forged by Adeyemi during his operations of the fake agency are those that can be prosecuted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
He also informed the court that a new charge has been filed at the High Court of the FCT and that Adeyemi would be expeditiously arraigned afresh.
He therefore urged the judge to strike out the charge as required by law.
Following no objections from Ibrahim Angulu (SAN), who stood in for Adeyemi, Justice Umar subsequently terminated the charge.
Adeniyi, 38, was being tried alongside two others whose whereabouts are unknown, on charges bordering on conspiracy and forgery.
The two others said to be at large were identified as Femi (surname unknown) and Anu (surname unknown).
The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/25/2025, was entered against the defendant by the DPPF.





