Election Tribunal: Get to Know the Five Judges Presiding Over Obi and Atiku’s Case Today

Today, after a five-month-long legal battle, the Presidential Election Petition Court (Tribunal) is poised to announce its verdict, which will determine the fate of President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the aftermath of the February 25, 2023 presidential race.

Tinubu represented the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku ran for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Obi contested under the Labour Party (LP). The outcome could either validate Tinubu’s election or lead to various scenarios, including declaring Atiku as the winner or calling for a rerun election.

Additionally, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) filed a separate petition, asserting that the withdrawal of Masari as the initial APC Vice-Presidential candidate invalidated Tinubu’s candidacy under constitutional provisions.

In response to these petitions, Tinubu, APC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have urged the court to dismiss the challenges and uphold Tinubu’s election.

Here are the five judges who will make this crucial decision:

Justice Stephen Adah: Born on June 13, 1957, Justice Adah, from Kogi State, presides over the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal. He has a strong legal background, having been appointed a Federal High Court judge in 1998 before his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2012. Notably, he was part of a three-man panel that allowed Obi and Atiku to serve Tinubu their petitions through substituted means.

Justice Haruna Tsammani: Born on November 23, 1959, Justice Tsammani has a distinguished career in the judiciary, serving as a High Court judge in Bauchi State in 1998 before his elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2010. He is the longest-serving justice on the panel and has notable judgments in his portfolio, including decisions related to Governor Yahaya Bello’s second term election and Value Added Tax (VAT) collection.

Justice Monsurat Bolaji-Yusuf: The only female member of the panel, Justice Bolaji-Yusuf was born on August 7, 1959, in Oyo State. She previously served as a High Court judge in Oyo State before her elevation to the Court of Appeal in 2014. Her notable decisions include invalidating actions related to the impeachment of former Governor Rashidi Ladoja in Oyo State and affirming Ifeanyi Ubah as a Senator.

Justice Moses Ugo: Born in 1966, Justice Ugo is the youngest member of the panel and hails from Bayelsa State. He served as a High Court judge in Bayelsa State before being promoted to the Court of Appeal in 2011.

Justice Abba Mohammed: Born on February 19, 1961, Justice Abba Mohammed is from Kano State. He was appointed a judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in 2010 and was promoted to the Court of Appeal in 2021. His notable cases include chairing the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Tribunal in 2019.

The nation awaits the verdict of these five judges, which will have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.

Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to Give Verdict on Sept 6

Uncertainty pervades the air as the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPT) gives the long-expected verdict on Wednesday, September 6.

The Court of Appeal Registrar, Umar Bangari confirmed this in a statement on Monday, saying the proceedings will be open to live broadcast by interested television stations.

“The Court of Appeal wishes to inform the General Public that judgment in the following petitions before the Presidential Election Petition Court will be delivered on Wednesday 6th September 2023: CA/PEPC/03/2023 between Mr. Peter Gregory Obi & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 3 Ors. CA/PEPC/04/2023 between Allied Peoples Movement VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 4 Ors,” the court registrar said in a statement.

“CA/PEPC/05/2023 between Abubakar Atiku & Anor VS. Independent National Electoral Commission & 2 Ors. In a bid to promote transparency and openness, these judgments will be televised live by interested Television Stations for the public to follow.”

He, however, said: “Access to the Court premises will be strictly on accreditation. Only accredited individuals, including Counsel and representatives of Political Parties, will be granted access to the courtroom. Interested members of the public are advised to watch proceedings from their television sets. We appeal for the maximum cooperation of the general public to ensure a hitch-free exercise, please.”

The Labour Party (LP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), as well as their presidential candidates, had petitioned the tribunal seeking to nullify the election of President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

Judgement is also expected to be delivered by election tribunals in 25 states for governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly election petitions.

The results of the polls announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are being contested in no fewer than 25 states out of the 28 states where elections were conducted.

Though the outcome remains the Tribunal’s guarded secret, some members of the public still fuming over comments credited to retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili on Wole Olanipekun, the leading counsel to APC and Lateef Fagbemi.

Mary Odili hails Tinubu’s lawyer

Retired Justice Mary Odili has hailed Wole Olanipekun, President Bola Tinubu’s lawyer at the elections petitions tribunal, as a master of electoral disputes whose expertise in tribunal litigation inspires confidence for victory and that “a resetting of the mind” is soon to come for losers who would eventually accept their loss.

Speaking at a colloquium held in honour of Joe Kyari Gadzama in Abuja on Friday, Mrs Odili said the 2023 general elections generated a storm, particularly from losers, who feel cheated by the elections’ outcome and have since resorted to making incendiary remarks that could plunge the nation into anarchy.

“There seems to be moves to throw the nation into chaos or conflagration. This may be brought about by some individuals and groups who fanning the embers of hatred, bigotry and tribalism fail to see the possible outcome of the utterances without caution that are being thrown around,” Mrs Odili, wife of ex Rivers governor Peter Odili, said at the colloquium which had many members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in attendance.

The retired justice urged all parties at the tribunal to express their grievances responsibly rather than “blackmail” judges or spread rumours online about the outcome of an active legal case to mislead the public.

“Therefore, in ventilating our points of view and facts at the electoral tribunal or other courts, a sense of responsibility from all parties is demanded, the situation does not call for the blackmail of the judges or the posting of speculatory hypothesis giving them such a life of their own which run riot and accepted by innocent in the society as the truth,” urged Mrs Odili.

Thereafter, she expressed confidence in the legal prowess of Mr Tinubu and the APC’s lawyers, suggesting their combined legal efforts would “at the end of the day” guarantee victory at the tribunal and put to rest all forms of speculatory legal dissection of the electoral disputes in court.

“And I am happy professional…(sic), those who are well equipped in litigation matters and electoral disputes, Chief Olanipekun is a master and our Attorney General recently sworn in. These are experts,” asserted the retired justice.

“I am confident that having such persons here including our chief host Chief JK Gadzama. There is confidence that at the end of the day, a resetting of the mind would be taking place and we would keep things in perspective in the full knowledge that elections are seasonal and litigations relating thereto,” the retired Supreme court Judge stated.

She warned that the losers of the 2023 elections should not use their grievances and frustration as justification to “bring down the roof of our nation,” as they may not be spared by the law.

“It is human to feel cheated or having the short end of the stick but one who is not declared the winner at any of the electoral contests, such a motion however grieved does not justify bringing the roof down, the roof of our nation, the reason is simple that in such an eventuality, that aggrieved person may not be spared as the commotion would be like an unguided missile which could land anywhere and upon anyone,” the former jurist said.

According to Mrs Odili, Mr Olanipekun and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, were grounded in electoral disputes, implying that their collaboration was bound to birth victory at the tribunal.

Mr Olanipekun, a highly respected senior advocate, was in charge of the team of lawyers that defended ex-president Muhammadu Buhari’s victory against Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2019 at the tribunal. Mr Olanipekun won the matter for Mr Buhari.

Straightnews observed that before President Tinubu jetted out of the country to India, he had held a closed-door meeting with the security chiefs in the country.

SOURCE: StraightNewsNG

Federal High Court Restrains Police from Reinstating APC-Elected Chairmen in Plateau LG Crisis

In a recent development regarding the Plateau State local government dispute between the sacked APC-elected chairmen and Transition Committee chairmen, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a restraining order against the Inspector General of Police. This order prevents the police from allowing the former APC-elected chairmen access to the local government secretariats.

The Inspector General of Police had previously opened the sealed local government secretariats for the elected chairmen, causing concerns about potential violence. However, the Plateau State Government filed an ex parte motion urging the court to prevent the police from enforcing the order issued by the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Julius Alawari, which directed the suspended democratically elected chairmen and councillors to resume their duties.

Justice A.B. Mohammed signed the order, emphasizing that the police have no authority to reinstate the chairmen and councillors while the matter is still before the court. The court’s order includes an interim injunction that restrains the police from using force to reinstate the former local government council chairmen in Plateau State until the motion on notice is heard and determined.

Furthermore, the court ordered that this injunction be served to the police, along with the motion on notice seeking an interlocutory injunction and the originating summons. The next hearing for the plaintiff’s motion on notice seeking an interlocutory injunction is scheduled for September 14, 2023.

North Central Presidency: Prophet Boma Envisions North Central’s Ascent to Presidency Amidst Political Shakeup

Prophet Abel Tamunominabo Boma from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has made a noteworthy prophecy concerning the future leadership of Nigeria. According to his recent statement, the North-Central geopolitical zone is gearing up to play a pivotal role in the country’s political landscape. Prophet Boma foresees significant party mergers on the horizon, but cautions that their path to the presidency won’t be straightforward, spanning the next 16 years.

It’s worth noting that the North-Central region has not seen a civilian president or vice president since 1999, with Bola Tinubu, hailing from the Southwest, currently serving as Nigeria’s leader.

Prophet Boma shared his insights on the political landscape, envisioning the emergence of seven political parties, with five major ones. He predicts a massive consolidation of these parties under a new, widely accepted banner. This amalgamated party is expected to have a strong presence, boasting governors, senators, and representatives. However, the road to the presidency for this coalition is anticipated to be challenging over the next 16 years.

In a separate comment, the prophet also turned his attention to the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, expressing his hope that Wike will retain his position. He forewarns of impending scandals and potential betrayals that could impact Wike’s tenure.

Prophet Boma’s prophecies have ignited discussions about the evolving political landscape in Nigeria, particularly the rise of the North-Central region as a potential contender for the presidency in the years to come.

Nasarawa Gov. Election: PDP alleges traditional rulers lobbying vice President over tribunal Justice

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nasarawa State Chapter has accused some first-class traditional rulers in the state of leading a delegation to lobby the Vice President, Kashim Shetima, to influence judgement at the ongoing governorship tribunal sitting in Lafia.

The party’s State Chairman, Chief Francis Orogu, made the allegation on Saturday in Lafia while addressing journalists.

Mr. Orogu said that while it was no longer news that some notable traditional rulers from the state visited the Vice President Kashim Shetima, they were aware of the main purpose of the visit.

“We are aware of the position traditional rulers in the state have taken before, during and after the last elections. They have vowed that they will use their position to ensure nobody else win the seat of the governor if not Abdullahi Sule.

“We are not also surprised that they are desperate and have organized themselves to visit the Vice President to lobby him so that he can influence the decision of the Governorship Tribunal in favor of governor Sule.

“We live in a digital age where information travel fast, nothing done in secrete is hidden any longer. The traditional rulers in their address said they visited to thank the Vice President for appointing their own from the state. Is it the Vice President that appointed the ministers? He asked.

Adding: “Our greatest shock is that three of the traditional rulers who are involved in this mission are former Chief Judges. But why should they allow themselves to be used to frustrate or temper with judicial proceeding against the will of the citizens’ votes in the last elections.

“We are aware too that these traditional rulers who are former Justices have their influences in the judicial world. But we believe God Almighty has the final say too.”

Mr. Orogu also alleged that governor Sule and his group allegedly supported Abubakar Atiku in the last Presidential elections against the All Progressives Congress (APC) but expressed disappointment that same Sule and his group were celebrating the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Shetima.

The State PDP chairman cautioned the Vice President as father to all not to allow his honorable office to be used to frustrate court proceedings, but allow justice to reign without tempering or interfering with decision of the court on election matter.

“These same traditional rulers could not persuade their subjects to vote the APC both at the Presidential elections and that was why the APC lost to Peter Obi of Labor Party in the state because they have allowed politics infiltrated into the traditional institution where politicians now control and dictate what they want and not what the traditional stool stand to achieve.

He therefore appealed to traditional rulers in the state to restrict themselves to their core mandates of ensuring peaceful coexistence and security of their communities instead of engaging in politics of rancor and sentiment.

Orogu added that his party and the governorship candidate of his party, Dr. David Ombugadu, have strong confidence in the judiciary against all odds.

SOURCE: The Guardian

Nasarawa Electoral Commission Slates LG Polls for Next Year

The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) yesterday slated August 31, 2024 for the conduct of local government elections in the state.

Chairman of the commission, Ayuba Wandai Usman, disclosed this at a press briefing at the commission’s headquarters in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State.

Wandai maintained that the council elections has become necessary because tenure of the present crop of elected local government officials would expire on October 7, 2024 having spent three years in office as provided by the extant laws governing activities of the NASIEC.

He said: “You will recall that the commission conducted the last Local Government Councils elections on Wednesday 6th October, 2021 and the present executives were sworn-in and inaugurated on Friday 8th October, 2021 for a tenure of three years which will end on Monday 7th October, 2024.

As you are aware, the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission is a law-abiding institution that has continued to promote adherence to Laws, Rules and Regulations governing the conduct of Local Government Councils Elections in Nasarawa State.”

The NASIEC chairman concluded that based on the extant laws, the commission had on August 31, 2023 given notice that the Local Government Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections would hold on August 31, 2024.

SOURCE: ThisDayLive

Stop Talking Too Much And Let Me Beg Tinubu To Reconsider Your Ministerial Nomination: Sanusi Tells Elrufai

Faced with the prospect of life outside the corridors of power, Nasir El-Rufai, the ex-Governor of Kaduna State, is applying pressure on influential figures in a bid to secure a ministerial position in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Despite initially signalling a lack of interest in the role, El-Rufai has reportedly sought the advocacy of traditional and religious leaders to facilitate his nomination for ministerial confirmation in the Senate.

Prominent among those El-Rufai is soliciting is the former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II. Last week, Sanusi met with President Tinubu, requesting the resubmission of El-Rufai’s name to the Senate for ministerial confirmation. He urged Tinubu to overlook opposition from certain figures within the Presidency, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.El-Rufai’s renewed ambition comes in the wake of the Senate’s previous rejection of his nomination due to security concerns and other allegations.

Before Sanusi agreed to intervene, another source averred, the former Emir cautioned the loquacious ex-governor and advised him to desist from making public comments on controversial issues so as to see if President Tinubu would assist in confirming his ministerial nomination.

“You made a mistake when you rejected the ministerial nomination and made it public that day. You must keep quiet henceforth and allow me to talk to the president on the matter,” Sanusi was quoted to have told remorseful el-Rufai.

The ex-governor, feeling publicly embarrassed, briefly left the country and did not attend his son’s wedding. Sanusi suggested to Tinubu that El-Rufai’s initial rejection of the ministerial nomination was a result of his public humiliation.

El-Rufai’s determination to secure a ministerial position may also be linked to scrutiny over his previous administration’s handling of over 300 abandoned projects in Kaduna State. As Kaduna struggles with financial woes partly attributed to El-Rufai’s tenure, an appointment into power might provide him with a necessary lifeline.

Source: New Era

JUST IN: Kaduna Law Firm Petitions Senate President, Calls for Elrufai’s Disqualification as Ministerial Candidate

House of Justice, a Kaduna based multi-door justice house has protested the nomination of the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad Elrufai, as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, stating as basis for the protest, his abysmal human rights violations and mass atrocities record especially during his 8-year tenure as Governor of Kaduna state.

The Petition which was signed by Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, the Chief Executive Officer and Advocacy Lead of the organization, cited among other reasons for objection, Elrufai’s admission of being an accessory to murder by paying killers, arbitrary demolition of properties of citizens and political opponents, sacking teachers and withholding their salaries, imprisonment of journalists and activists, and sacking of traditional rulers as well as the persecution of the Southern Kaduna people.

The Petition further noted that there was a pending verdict of Nigeria’s parliament that declared Elrufai as not fit and proper to occupy public office and that international reports such as the 2020 and 2023 British All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) reports , dishonourably indicted the former Governor.

The Petition which had attached to it evidence of the allegations against the embattled former Governor, also noted that Elrufai has no respect for the Constitution, rule of law or the code of conduct for public officers and could only fit into a dictatorship and not a democracy.

The Petition was signed as received by the office of the Senate President in Abuja.

Recall that during the ministerial screening on the floor of the senate on Tuesday a senator from Kogi West senatorial District, Senator Sunday Karimi informed the senate that he is in possession of a petition against Elrufai over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna.

Karimi said during the screening, “Mr. President, I have a petition written against the nominee over the issue of insecurity in Southern Kaduna when he was governor.

“If I am permitted, I will like to read the petition.”

Senator Karimi was never given the chance to read his petition.

Ironically, the three senators from Kaduna state including that of Kaduna Southern senatorial District where Elrufai is accused of human rights violations, and other related allegations all passed votes of confidence on the former governor.

Whether the senate will act on House of Justice’s petition it has acknowledged receipt of is left to be seen.

Find below the complete petition;

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/weve-paid-fulani-stop-killings-southern-kaduna-el-rufai/

https://saharareporters.com/2017/01/04/el-rufai-compensation-foreign-killers-and-looming-danger-john-danfulani

 2.  He threw thousands of traders and citizens out of jobs by demolishing markets and destroying goods and services without compensation.

https://dailytrust.com/kasupda-begins-demolition-of-kasuwar-barci/

SEE EXHIBIT 2

3. He made hundreds of thousands of people homeless by demolishing their homes without compensation and devoid of legal cause or court orders and continued the spree until his last days in office.

https://www.latestnigeriannews.com/p/969770/governor-elrufai-demolishes-graceland-zaria-kaduna-photos.html

https://editor.guardian.ng/news/el-rufai-approves-demolition-of-imn-gbagyi-properties-others/

https://www.tvcnews.tv/2021/10/kaduna-govt-demolishes-140-houses-in-zaria-lga/.

 https://www.channelstv.com/2016/07/28/gbagyi-villa-residents-protest-planned-demolition-by-kaduna-govt/amp/

SEE EXHIBITS 3

4. He destroyed the houses of those who held different opinions to his including persons in his own party and outside it. Sen. Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi’s home was demolished and turned into a park. Former Attorney General of Katsina, Alh. Inuwa Abdulkadir, died while waiting for justice for his house which was arbitrarily destroyed by Mallam Nasir Ahmad Elrufai.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/governor-demolishes-senators-house.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/demolition-go-court-aggrieved-kaduna-govt-tells-hunkuyi/amp

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.sunnewsonline.com/el-rufai-converts-hunkuyis-demolished-house-to-childrens-park/%3famp

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/07/06/apc-mourns-ex-national-vice-chairman-inuwa-abdulkadir/

SEE EXHIBITS 4

5.  He sacked thousands of teachers from their jobs and refused to pay teachers their salaries. Some teachers had it worse, they were killed while trying to undergo needless verification exercises he imposed.

https://saharareporters.com/2021/05/16/kaduna-governor-el-rufai-has-sacked-about-70000-workers-2016

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/agony-of-kaduna-teachers-over-unpaid-salaries/?amp

https://dailytrust.com/zaria-blast-kills-dozens-injured-many-workers/.

SEE EXHIBITS 5

6.  Traditional Rulers were imprisoned or killed under his watch in questionable circumstances and he decapitated what remained of the traditional institution by proscribing chiefdoms, changing the identity of people and arbitrarily sacking traditional rulers.

https://saharareporters.com/2019/05/06/exclusive-how-kajuru-monarch-galadima-was-killed-refusing-give-stool-after-visiting-elrufai

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/10/kidnapped-kaduna-traditional-ruler-killed-by-kidnappers/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theperiscopeglobal.com/2021/05/20/tribute-to-dr-ishaku-damina-the-distinctive-lamp-extinguished-the-sacrificial-lamb-slain/

https://guardian.ng/news/gunmen-kidnap-south-kaduna-monarch-yohanna-kukah/

https://ynaija.com/opinion-hrh-dr-ishaku-sabo-damina-bgwan-kurmi-persecuted-el-rufai/

https://saharareporters.com/2020/11/07/frustration-southern-kaduna-indigenous-traditional-structures-seeming-step-complementing.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.channelstv.com/2021/06/20/kaduna-security-bandits-kill-village-head-in-sanga-lga/amp/

SEE EXHIBITS 6

7. The Nigeria Labour Congress, led by their national president tried to resolve the crises he had with Kaduna State workers but he turned the NLC’s intervention into a wrestling spree and unleashed security apparatus against them.

https://placng.org/Legist/kaduna-boils-as-govt-labour-battle/

https://dailytrust.com/kaduna-shutdown-fg-intervenes-as-el-rufai-labour-stick-to-their-guns/

SEE EXHIBITS 7

8. Journalists and activists who endeavored to report the rape of law and justice carried out by his government were arbitrarily arrested, persecuted and thrown into prisons.

https://www.theoasisreporters.com/electronic-media-personality-segun-onibiyo-arrested-by-police-in-kaduna-for-hate-speech/

https://saharareporters.com/2019/05/08/breaking-police-arrest-kajuru-journalist-stephen-kefas-re-posting-article-facebook

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2019/01/02/between-el-rufai-and-journalist-segun-onibiyo-2/amp/

https://www.csw.org.uk/2022/02/04/press/5572/article.htm.

SEE EXHIBITS 8

9. Elrufai lacks the ability to lead in a plural society. He particularly showed disdain, hate and persecuted the people of Southern Kaduna.

https://leadership.ng/el-rufais-viral-video-southern-kaduna-elders-want-gurara-state/

https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/people-of-southern-kaduna-accuse-el-rufai-of-spreading-lies/mexphte

https://gazettengr.com/el-rufai-devil-incarnate-plotted-to-wipe-out-southern-kaduna-he-gave-us-hell-gaiya/

https://guardian.ng/news/southern-kaduna-indigenes-accuse-el-rufai-of-incitement-hate-speeches/

10. There is a pending  verdict of Nigeria’s Senate  that Mallam Nasir Ahmad Elrufai is not a fit and proper person to occupy public office.

https://dailytrust.com/why-el-rufai-should-not-hold-public-office-dantiye/.

11. The 2020 and 2023 British All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Report, ‘Nigeria Unfolding Genocide? Records that Nigeria is the global epicenter  of violence against Christians and  Mallam Nasir Ahmad Elrufai got a dishonorable mention in the reports.

https://psjuk.org/igeria-unfolding-genocide-an-appg-uk-report/

CONCLUSION.

Attached are evidence of the submissions in this petition. Mallam Nasir Ahmad Elrufai has no respect for the Constitution, rule of law or the code of conduct for public officers. Good performance and compliance with the rule of law are not mutually exclusive. Elrufai fits into a dictatorship where brute force is the hallmark of rulership but poses great danger to fundamental freedoms and the ideals of democracy. 

Your Excellency and the Senate may wish to clerk in and reserve his performance to a government of brute force. Nigeria with a population of over 215 million people is not without more capable candidates who would deliver on the demands of ministerial office while upholding the Constitution please.

Yours truly,

 Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq

C.E.O. House of Justice

gloriaballason@houseofjusticeng.com

+2348028407332

Subsidy removal: Cash transfer is scam – Kaduna Gov Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, has described the proposed cash transfer policy of the Federal Government as a scam.

Sani stated this while speaking in an interview with Arise Television’s News Night on Friday.

The governor said, “My position has always been that, at this critical time, cash transfer should not be something that we should bring up, completely. I think that cash transfer for me, in my opinion, is a scam. Completely is a scam. I can be very certain about that, because who are you transferring the money to?

“Let me give an example, go and check the current statistics. Like I said, as the Chairman, Committee of  Banking for four years in Nigeria, I oversight Central Bank, I oversight all the commercial sector of our economy for the last four years and I look at the statistics, I will be very firm on this issue and you can go and check it. 

“Let me give an example, go and check the current statistics. Like I said, as the Chairman, Committee of  Banking for four years in Nigeria, I oversight Central Bank, I oversight all the commercial sector of our economy for the last four years and I look at the statistics, I will be very firm on this issue and you can go and check it. 

“About 70 to 75 percent of the rural population in North West are financially excluded completely. You will have to go and check, these people we are talking about are important people in the society. They do not even have a bank account so who are you transferring the money to?

“Let’s try and work very hard to make sure that they are financially included, that is the most important thing and I will like to call on our development partners, the World Bank, to put more money towards bringing more people into the financial services and the vulnerable in particular.

“Let’s put more money to ensure that we open accounts for them, get them involved, if we don’t do that, no matter what we do however you do it, money will go to the wrong people, that’s the fact.”

President Bola Tinubu had earlier unveiled his administration’s plan for a monthly N8,000 transfer to 12 million of the poorest households in the country for six months, in a bid to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy.

The plan was contained in a letter read last Thursday on the floor of the House of Representatives regarding the $800 million loan request of the previous Muhammadu Buhari administration for a social safety net programme.

But days after the announcement, the Federal Government said it will review the move following the public outcry it generated among Nigerians.

Recall that following the removal of the petrol subsidy and the recent hike in petrol prices to up to N617/litre, the National Executive Council (NEC)  agreed on palliative measures for Nigerians.

NEC also considered integrity tests on state social registers, cash transfers would be done via state social registers subject to state peculiarities.

The Federal Government also initiated a six-month cash award policy for public servants.

According to the Federal Government, food items grains and fertilizers are to be distributed by state governments at the rate acquired from National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), while states were asked to double down on energy transition plans in the transport sector.

Source: Vanguard

Kaduna Gov Kicks As PDP Presents Exhibits Before Tribunal

Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State Tuesday objected to the admissibility of documents from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kaduna.

The governor also requested the dismissal of the petition brought by the opposition party and its candidate, Hon Mohammed Isah Ashiru, saying it lacked merit.

Governor Sani’s counsel, Chief Duro Adeyele (SAN), did not disclose the grounds for the objection to the admissibility of the documents.

He stated that their valid objection would be presented in written addresses filed before the tribunal.

In compliance with a subpoena issued by the tribunal, INEC tendered documents, including forms EC8A, EC8B, and EC8C, from polling units in nine local government areas: Birnin Gwari, Igabi, Zaria, Sabon Gari, Kaduna North, Kaduna South, Kubau, Lere, and Kudan.

Adeyele and INEC’s counsel, A.M. Aliyu (SAN), argued that the original election documents in INEC’s custody should not have been brought to court.

He stated that the original documents were supposed to remain in the commission’s custody and that any party other than the PDP could request certified true copies of the documents.

In an interview with journalists, PDP’s counsel, Giovanni Laah, stated that they wanted the original documents to remain before the tribunal until they called witnesses.

The tribunal adjourned the sitting to today for the continuation of the hearing.

APC presents witnesses against Kaduna PDP senator

Meanwhile, APC’s senatorial candidate, Muhammed Sani Abdullahi (Dattijo), presented three additional witnesses, who provided documents regarding the educational background of Senator Lawal Usman, the representative of Kaduna Central at the Senate.

The witnesses appeared before a three-man panel, headed by Justice H.H Kereng, at the tribunal on Tuesday. They were cross-examined by M.A. Magaji SAN, the counsel for the PDP.

Mr. Johnson Usman, the counsel to Dattijo, informed journalists after the tribunal’s sitting that the witnesses included those from Aminu Shehu College of Advanced Studies and the principal of Great Diamond School.

He stated that “Aminu Shehu College of Education said his name was not there at all, and the first petitioner himself has testified and tendered documents. Particularly, the letter was written by Demonstration Primary School, Gwagwalada, as well as Government Day Secondary School, Gwagwalada, stating that Lawal Adamu Usman was never a student there.”

He declined further comment, saying it’s left for the court to determine.

In response, M.A. Magaji (SAN), the counsel to the PDP senator, expressed unfamiliarity with the name of the school presented as witnesses.

He asserted their confidence in their mandate and their intention to prove in court that Senator Usman won the election.

Source: Punch