Connect with us

Politics

Soludo’s Disqualification suit: Court Adjourns to Nov 30

Published

on

Anambra Tackles Domestic Violence with Special Court

 

By Edozie Obasi-Eze

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the suit challenging the qualification of Anambra State governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo; and Deputy governor-elect, Onyeka Ibezim, to contest the last governorship election in the state to November 30 for judgment.

The plaintiffs – Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka – are contending that Soludo provided false information in the affidavit (Form EC9), which he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, on the grounds of which they should be unqualified from standing for election.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/711/2021, the plaintiffs claimed that Soludo indicated in the affidavit that he was contesting the Aguata 2 Constituency seat when, in fact, he was contesting the Anambra governorship seat.

Listed as defendants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission, the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Soludo and Ibezim.

In their final submission, plaintiffs’ lawyers, A. O. Ijeri and Kelvin Okoko argued that had indicated the wrong seat he was contesting, Soludo supplied INEC with false information, and thus violated extant legal provisions and ought to be disqualified.

Read Also>> Dangote Berates Power Sector For Hindering Nigeria’s Economic Growth

Ijeri said, “The constitution has made a state a constituency in relation to the governorship election, but in this case, the third defendant (Soludo) named Aguata 2 as the constituency he is contesting.”

As against the contention by lawyers to the second to fourth defendants, Ijeri argued that his clients have established that there was a cause of action and that the court has jurisdiction to determine the case.

“The cause of action in a pre-election matter, by the provision of Section 285(9) of the Constitution, is determined by the date of the occurrence of the event, a decision or action complained about in the suit by the plaintiff.

“There is evidence that INEC received the submitted Form EC9 on July 6n 2021,” Ijeri added.

He then prayed the court to find merit in the case and grant the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs.

However, the lawyer for APGA and Soludo, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), argued that the suit was without merit and that the court lacked jurisdiction.

Ikpeazu contended that error in an affidavit cannot be a basis to disqualify a candidate from election, noting that the false information contemplated in Section 31 of the Electoral Act was criminal in nature.

Lawyer to Ibezim, C. Mbaeri, argued in similar vein and prayed the court to uphold his objection and dismiss the suit.

Lawyer to INEC, Bashir Abubakar, said his client did not file any process in the case and has elected to leave the decision at the discretion of the court.

Politics

Gaetz Withdraws From Trumps Cabinet Nomination 

Published

on

 

Following his observations that ‘the momentum was strong’ Matt Gaetz whom 47th POTUS elect, Donald Trump nominated for Attorney General has withdrawn.

Biztellers reports that this follows his meeting with Senate and the feedback, which included two women, represented by their attorneys, who accused him of having paid for sex.

Consequently, Gaetz placed on record his full commitment to seeing “that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history.”

His withdrawal according his statement on micro-blogging site, X, was based on his conviction that “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle”.

ALSO READ: Trump Taps 27-Year-Old Karoline Leavitt As New White House Spokesperson

In is view, “Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1”.

Gaetz wrote, “I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition. There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1.

“I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I’m certain he will Save America.”

His backers have promptly encouraged to take his seat in the House of Representatives, having been elected to the house under the flag of the Republicans to represent Florida.

Continue Reading

Politics

Adeleke Represents SW On Ad Hoc Committee on Nat’l Electrification Plan

Published

on

 

The Executive Governors from Nigeria’s South West have unanimously nominated Senator Ademola Adeleke as the chairman of the zone on the National Economic Council (NEC).

Adeleke is the Executive Governor of Osun State, southwest, Nigeria.

This, according to the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, transpired on Thursday, at a meeting of the NEC.

ALSO READ: Adeleke Flaunts Local Content Records, Industrialisation Progress

He noted that the meeting reviewed the state of Nigeria’s electricity sector and resolved to engage subnational structures to address current challenges in the sector.

“The meeting particularly sought to build on the devolution of the electricity sector and its movement into the concurrent legislative list which empowers state governments to regulate the sector in their respective areas,” he stated.

Consequently, the NEC, therefore set up an ad hoc committee to review actions in the sector by state governments and explore ways to ramp up activities through coordination, Rasheed highlighted.

The full list of members of NEC’s Ad-hoc Committee on National Electrification:

  1. Governor of Cross Rivers State, Bassey Out – Chairman, South-South
  2. Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda – Chairman, North-West
  3. Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya – Chairman, North-East
  4. Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – Chairman, South-West
  5. Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma – Chairman, South-East
  6. Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang – Chairman, North-Central
  7. Hon. Minister of Finance, Wale Edun
  8. Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu
  9. Special Adviser, NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai
  10. Special Adviser, Power Minister, Hon. Bolaji Tunji
  11. MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu
  12. MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije
  13. Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak
  14. NEC Secretariat
Continue Reading

Politics

ACF Pledges Support For Northern Presidential Candidates Ahead Of 2027 Elections

Published

on

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.

In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.

READ MORE: JUST IN: FG Dissolves Nnamdi Azikiwe University Governing Council, Removes VC

The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.

According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.

The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”

The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.

“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.

The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.

“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.

It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.

“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”

The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.

It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”

Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.

“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.