Category: Politics

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima have appealed to the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal not to invalidate the results of the February 25 presidential election. Their plea specifically concerns the controversy surrounding the attainment of 25 percent of the votes in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

In their final address, presented by their lead counsel Wole Olanipekun, Tinubu and Shettima argued for the dismissal of the petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Olanipekun dismissed the challengers’ arguments and testimonies as baseless, exaggerated, and reliant on hearsay.

The lead counsel called on the court to reject the petition entirely, as it lacked substance and merit. He emphasized that the petitioners’ argument, suggesting that Tinubu and Shettima’s election should be nullified for not achieving 25 percent or one-quarter of the votes in the FCT, had no legal basis. According to Olanipekun, the use of the conjunction “and” in the constitution is to be interpreted as connecting rather than separating.

“The appellant failed to recognize that judges do not possess the power of clairvoyance, which involves making predictions and subsequently proclaiming a new leader in place of a deceased one,” Olanipekun stated. He further asserted that judges cannot perform miracles when handling civil claims, nor fabricate evidence to assist a plaintiff in winning their case.

3rd Anniversary: Oduduwa News To Donate Academic Materials, Other Items To Indigent Students

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has cautioned the factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Simon Ekpa, against plans to stage a sit-at-home protest in Lagos State.

Reports had quoted Ekpa as hinting in a tweet on Wednesday of plans by IPOB to replicate the protest in Lagos.

However, Aare Gani Adams in an interview with The Tribune said such an attempt will not be condoled noting that the South West region is not Biafra Republic.

He also cautioned the Finland-based IPOB leader to desist from repeating the mistake that led to the Civil War and drop the move which he described as counterproductive.

He said: “I can’t go to the South East now and say I want to decide for the people of that region. So, it is not possible to import the South-East agenda into Yorubaland. It would be counterproductive. We advise him (Ekpa) to drop that idea.

“He should not try that. The South West is not Biafra Republic. Any attempt to impose the Biafra Republic agenda will be resisted. He should desist from repeating the mistake of the 1970s. He should be very, very careful.

“They are entitled to their opinion, but South West is not their Biafran region. He should be very, very careful.

“He should not come and impose his agenda on the South West. It is uncalled for, it is unwarranted. Although I don’t know him and I have not spoken to him, he should not bring unnecessary tension to Yorubaland. We will not accept that.”

An Abuja-based lawyer, Inibehe Effiom has condemned how Tinubu-led administration is prosecuting the case of the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the basis of political vendetta not for public interest.

The lawyer was quoted in a statement made available via his Twitter handle as this:

“The SSS has taken Nigerians for granted again. I am upset about the two-count charge filed against the suspended CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.

“Illegal possession of firearms without more, is a crime for the police. It is ridiculous to detain Emefiele for one month only to come up with this.

“I have always maintained the position, that the SSS is essentially a political tool in the hands of every occupant of Aso Rock. They are notorious for bungling cases and creating needless political tensions. The SSS needs to rethink its involvement in cases. It is becoming very embarrassing.

“The Naira redesign policy is not a crime; and it is immaterial whether it was properly implemented or not. It seems the suspension and arrest of Emefiele were not propelled by any interest in holding him accountable for mismanagement of public resources, but a political vendetta.

Where are the charges on terrorism financing?

Why is Mr. Tinubu handling this case like this?

“Many Nigerians supported Emefiele’s suspension because he made nonsense of the CBN’s regulatory processes and independence. We wanted better monetary policies from the CBN.

“However, with the way the case is going, it appears that the government has a different agenda”.

The Osun State House of Assembly has approved Governor Ademola Adeleke’s request to appoint twenty-five (25) Special Advisers. This was contained in a letter from the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, by Governor Adeleke on Wednesday, 12th of July, 2023.

According to the Speaker, Governor Adeleke had written to the House of Assembly on the 4th of July, 2023, requesting the approval of the assembly to appoint twenty-five (25) Special Advisers. He noted that the House had now approved the request after careful deliberation.

“After careful consideration, I am pleased to inform you that the Osun State House of Assembly has approved your request.”

While thanking Governor Adeleke for “being so dedicated to serving the people of Osun state”, Rt. Hon. Egbedun expressed confidence that the new set of appointments will no doubt contribute to the overall development and progress of Osun State.

A former governor of Oyo State, Rasidi Ladoja has dragged Governor Seyi Makinde and the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Lekan Balogun to court.

The former governor also dragged Ibadan High Chiefs who were recently elevated as Kings to court.

Recall that the state House of Assembly recently amended the Chiefs Law in the state, and on Friday, the 7th of July, the Olubadan elevated ten (10) High Chiefs in the ancient city to Obas, although Ladoja distanced himself from the promotion.

Ladoja had earlier explained that he was not interested in any other crowns but the Olubadan crown. Ladoja filed the suit at the Oyo State High Court.

On Friday, the Olubadan elevated ten (10) High Chiefs in the ancient city to Obas, although Ladoja distanced himself from the promotion.

In a statement on Monday, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused Governor Adeleke of religious partisanship, saying he must be a “secret agent” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State over the list of his commissioners which contains seven Muslims and 17 Christians.

In a statement on Monday, MURIC Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, accused Governor Adeleke of religious partisanship, saying he must be a “secret agent” for the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“We condemn this wanton blockage of privileges that should go to Muslims and their diversion to over-pampered and over-fed Christians in Osun State. By deceiving Muslims in the state and engaging in spiritual hide and seek, Governor Adeleke has exhibited qualities odoriferously short in honour and dignity but egregiously long in infamy and bohemianism.

“The goal of Adeleke’s deception is for the perpetuation of the marginalization, shortchanging and oppression of Muslims in Osun State. Adeleke is a secret agent of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

“But it is for a while. Time will tell. Governor ‘James Bond’ and the few selfish Muslims whom he is using will soon see that honesty and openness are what makes enduring leadership,” Akintola said.

The Ayedero of Yorubaland, Honourable Shina Abiola Peller, has applauded the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Honourable Peller made this known in a statement posted on his verified social media handles, which was also shared with the press on Monday, where he described the development as welcoming with emphasis on the vibrancy of Nigeria’s economic and political leadership in the African continent.

The Ayedero of Yorubaland added that President Tinubu’s emergence as ECOWAS chairman is a testament to the vision of Nigeria’s founding fathers who always wanted a Nigeria for Africa, not a Nigeria for Nigerians only.

The Oke Ogun-born businessman cum politician added that President Tinubu’s emergence presents a beam of renewed hope for the African continent, while he expressed optimism that his administration will bring about remarkable changes not only in Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.

The message read in full:

“Congratulations to Nigeria as our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the new chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS).

“It is a testament to the vision of our founding fathers who always wanted a Nigeria for Africa, cementing our continued economic and political leadership in the African continent.

“President Bola Tinubu as chairman of ECOWAS presents a beam of renewed hope for the African Continent.

“Like I have always said that 2023 will be a turning point for Nigeria, I’m very confident that President Tinubu’s administration will bring about remarkable changes not only in Nigeria, but Africa as a whole.

“I pray that GOD strengthens President Tinubu in all aspects to deliver beyond expectations. Amen.

Yes, Nigeria, We Are Back..

“Congratulations Nigeria.
Congratulations Mr. President.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has emerged as the new Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“We will take democracy seriously, Democracy is very tough but it is the best form of government,” he said upon his emergence on Sunday in Guinea-Bissau.

Tinubu succeeds President Umaro Embalo of Guinea Bissau as ECOWAS chair.

Tinubu’s emergence was announced at the 63rd Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

The 63rd Ordinary Session summit was the first engagement of the President within the African continent since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

The Oke-Ogun Council of Obas has thrown weight behind one of the illustrious sons of Oke-Ogun, Barrister Raji Ahmed SAN who was said to be nominated for ministerial appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Recall, ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported how the legal luminary, Ahmed Raji SAN was tipped for ministerial appointment.

EXCLUSIVE: Inside Details Of How Iseyin-Born Legal Luminary, Raji Ahmed SAN Tipped As Minister https://oduduwanews.com/exclusive-inside-details-of-how-iseyin-born-legal-luminary-raji-ahmed-san-tipped-as-minister/

The Oke-Ogun traditional rulers in a statement made available today to ODUDUWA NEWS through their lawyer, O.K. Abimbola Esq, urged the public to discountenance the unpleasant and negative remarks which have been flying around the social media in respect to the rumoured nomination of Alhaji Ahmed Raji SAN as a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Council posited that Raji Ahmed SAN is a good representative of Oke-Ogun and that, despite the fact, that he is not a card carrying-member of any party, he has supported all political parties to bring development to Oke-Ogun and as such he is best fit to represent Oyo State as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Council also used the occasion to implore the public to be wary of the antics of political jobbers who out of their mischief and sinister plot want to prevail on the President Bola Tinubu to disqualify Raji Ahmed SAN from being the Minister because the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola is also from Iseyin, the same town Raji Ahmed hails from.

The council in its statement quoted as thus: “the issue of being an Iseyin born is not relevant in his appointment, as the said appointment is not political but professional appointment and that the CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola of a learned jurist who has reached the pinnacle of his career cannot be used as a basis to disqualify Ahmed Raji SAN. Sunday Dare was a Minister when Fatai Buhari was a Senator both from Ogbomosho.

“The Council of Obas and Chiefs hereby declare their unwavering support to Ahmed Raji as he is a philanthropist and a senior member of the Nigerian Bar Association NBA and going by zonal rotation, the next ministerial appointment should be from Oke-Ogun zone. Oyo zone had produced Alhaji Haruna Elewi, Ibadan Zone had produced Chief Richard Akinjide, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Elder Wole Oyelese and Jumoke Akinjide, and Ogbomosho zone had produced Sunday Dare. Therefore the appointment of Ahmed Raji SAN as Minster is meritorious and highly deserved”.

The council therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discountenance the campaign of calumny against his proposed appointment as Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.