Politics
Group Hails Atiku’s Legal Move
A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), says Atiku Abubakar’s decision to challenge the outcome of February 23 presidential election in court will improve the electoral process and deepen Nigeria’s democracy. A constitutional lawyer and convener of the group, Mr Wale Ogunade, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on February 27, declared President Muhammadu Buhari winner of the election.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, while announcing the results in Abuja, said Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled 15, 191, 847 votes to defeat his main challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 11, 225, 978 votes.
Atiku has since rejected the results, vowing to challenge it in court.
Some prominent Nigerians and groups have appealed to him to concede defeat to Buhari and congratulate him.
Ogunade, however, said Atiku’s decision to seek legal action is a necessary step.
“To me it is good that Atiku is going to court because it will enhance our judicial system, add more to our jurisprudence and deepen our democracy.
“Buhari went to court about three times after he lost to PDP in previous elections. And as lawyers, we use some of those issues raised during the trial in court.
“We cite Buhari’s case against Obasanjo, Buhari against Yar’Adua and Buhari against Jonathan. And issues on jurisdiction, compliance to electoral law or time of filing or conduct of the election itself, were raised and addressed.
“All these issues have helped to enrich our judicial system because lawyers depend on these precedents or former cases to build up their case in court,” he said.
Ogunade said going to court would bring about legal skills that would transform the legal system for good of the country.
“On jurisprudence, it shows the brain and knowledge of the various counsels that worked on the cases and most of them are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), that you will not run into, ordinarily in courts.
“And these SANs are people that even the judicial system may not have the opportunity of getting their views on issues regularly.
“They too (SANs), will generate some germane issues that when thrown into jurisprudence and later brought to the fore, it will be for the betterment and knowledge of the society and it will improve the legal system,” he said. Ogunade also said the nation’s democracy would be deepened and positive lessons would be learnt if Atiku takes the legal action.
“Such case will strengthen the nation’s democracy as it will be seen as a better option to act civil by going to court rather than take to violence or distabilise the polity.
“It will also be a training ground or reference point for other politicians or intending democrats to say let’s stick to the rule of law as obtained during Atiku versus Buhari case.
Former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Matters and Social Events, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, has praised the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri on his formal defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dr Dudafa, who is also a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and one time commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Development, described the governor’s decision as a wise and well-considered move that aligns the State with the centre for accelerated development and greater political inclusion.
“Governor Diri’s decision reflects his pragmatic leadership style which has always been guided by consultation, inclusiveness, and the pursuit of the common good.
“Your Excellency, your decision to work in harmony with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which is in synergy with your ‘Assured Prosperity’ vision will undoubtedly bring about the needed transformation and development for the people of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta at large.
“Since assuming office, your guiding principle has been clear and consistent — to consult widely, act in the public interest, and deliver measurable development outcomes. That same principle has informed your latest political alignment, and it will continue to serve as a compass for your Assured Prosperity Administration”, he said.
He further praised the governor’s performance in office, stating that Gov. Diri’s administration has been characterized by purposeful governance and tangible results, reaffirming his continued loyalty and support for the governor, while also assuring that he and his associates will keep identifying with the Gov Diri’s administration in the collective effort to sustain peace, unity, and progress in the state.
While restating his continued solidarity with the governor’s leadership in the state, Dr Dudafa promised to lend his support to ensure that he finishes strong.
“Governor Diri’s political maturity and developmental focus have repositioned Bayelsa for a brighter future”, he added.
The Tide further learnt that Dr Dudafa once served as Special Adviser to a former governor of the State on Youth Mobilization and Empowerment.
“I want to again commend the governor for his courage and vision. His alignment of the State with the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda is a step toward ensuring inclusive governance and attracting more federal presence to the state”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
A publication circulating online had quoted Alhaji Sheriff as saying, “It’s not me; it’s Shettima who created Boko Haram.”
But in a statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Sheriff dismissed the report as a “complete fabrication” aimed at misleading the public and stirring political discord.
“The said story is a complete fabrication, devoid of truth, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, malign the person of Senator Sheriff, and sow discord within the nation’s political landscape,” the statement read.
Alhaji Sheriff said he never granted any interview or spoke to any journalist on the matter, adding that the falsehood was designed to undermine his long-standing commitment to peace and national unity.
“This false report is not only mischievous but also a dangerous piece of fake news aimed at undermining years of Senator Sheriff’s contributions to peace, national unity, and development, both in Borno State and across Nigeria,” the statement added.
The former governor urged members of the public and the media to disregard the publication, noting that he had directed his legal team to identify and pursue those behind the story.
“Senator Sheriff has instructed his legal team to take immediate steps to identify all individuals, bloggers, or media outlets responsible for the dissemination of this defamatory material.
“Should the false publication not be retracted and taken down forthwith, the Senator will not hesitate to seek full legal redress under the law”, his media office said.
Alhaji Sheriff reaffirmed his commitment to Nigeria’s security, stability, and democratic values and vowed to ensure that the spread of misinformation does not go unpunished.
Politics
Anambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
Mr Moghalu spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Uruagu Ward 1, Nnewi.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its responsibility of making the process credible.
He also alleged voter apathy, attributing it to people’s lack of confidence in the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu said that even though it was too early to say whether the process was free, fair, and credible, he was not impressed.
“I am not impressed; there were no issues of glitches, at least for now. As we go along to monitor the process, we’ll confirm. In terms of voting, there’s an improvement over previous elections.
“I can’t say it’s free and fair because if you monetise a process, you weaponise poverty. What’s free about it? There’s no doubt there’s low voter turnout, and that has been the trend,” he stated.
The LP’s flag bearer stated that it was incumbent on INEC to continually improve the process, as voter apathy is a manifestation of a loss of confidence in the people.
Reports from Yiaga Africa, European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) II, and other partner organisations indicated that voter turnout was low in most polling units across the 21 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to journalists in Awka, the Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, identified vote-buying and low turnout as recurring issues observed in the thematic areas of the election.
Also, Asabe Ndahi of the Kukah Centre decried logistical challenges, including the late arrival of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security officials in high-risk areas, such as Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Ihiala, Ogbaru, and Nnewi South.
She added that incidents of vote-buying and voter intimidation were recorded in several local government areas.
that votes were being traded for between N15,000 and N30,000.
“It is sad that bad governance is fuelling vote buying and selling.
“For an unemployed youth who sells his vote for ?30,000, what will he be paid next month when there is no election?
“By selling your vote, you are saying no school, no hospital, no jobs and selling away your future. This is worrisome”, he said.
He called on journalists to play an active role in exposing and curbing the menace.
The former presidential candidate also described all the hopefuls in the governorship race as his friends.
“Whoever wins, let him serve the people. Nigeria needs service now. We need to pull our people out of poverty,” he said,
Earlier, Mr George Moghalu, LP governorship candidate, said despite the heavy deployment of security personnel for the election, he had received reports of widespread vote-buying.
He also described the trend as “most unfortunate”, and warned that the crime undermines the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Moghalu added that he remained optimistic on the outcome of the election, as he had campaigned extensively and presented his manifesto to the electorate.
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoOndo, Investors Sign $50b Refinery, Free Trade Zone Agreement
-
News1 day ago‘Tinubu Committed To Environmental Sustainability, Benefits To Ogoni’
-
News2 days agoTinubu CongratulatesSoludoOn Re-election, Lauds INEC
-
Maritime1 day agoAfrican Nations Stand To Gain From Blue Economy —NPA MD
-
Niger Delta1 day agoDelta To Present Over ?1trn Budget For 2026
-
Politics1 day agoAnambra Guber: I’m Not Impressed, LP Candidate Says …As Observers Lament Vote-buying, Low Voters Turnout
-
Oil & Energy1 day agoOil Demand to Rise Through 2032 as Energy Transition Stalls
-
News1 day agoCleric Harps On Significance Of Thanksgiving