Old Naira Notes Remain Legal Tenders Till… — Supreme Court Gives Final Verdict

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Old Naira Notes Remain Legal Tenders Till… — Supreme Court Gives Final Verdict

 

By Izunna Okafor

The Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court, on Friday, ruled that the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes as legal tenders remain legal tenders.

The court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of Justices, nullified the ban on the use of the old naịra notes and held that the old banknotes should remain valid legal tenders until December 31.

It ruled that the old Naira notes should be used alongside the redesigned currencies.

According to the apex court, President Muhammadu Buhari was wrong for introducing the demonization policy, without due consultation with the Council of States, the Federal Executive Council, the Civil Society and other relevant stakeholders.

In the lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court accused President Buhari of disobeying its interim order that halted the full implementation of the new monetary policy.

It said the defendants (CBN And Federal Government) do not deserve to be heard because it has refused to obey its orders.

“The disobedience of the orders of the Court is a sign of the failure of rule of law. This suit has merits,” Supreme Court ruled.

The court also held that the demonetisation policy is inconsistent with the CBN Act and further ruled that the President cannot make a unilateral policy without carrying the Plaintiffs (state Governors) along.

Continuing, the Supreme Court said that in implementing the policy, the President is under an obligation to carry the national council of states along, and that the policy has impeded the functions of state governments.

The court also faulted and outlawed President Buhari’s directive on the stoppage of the use of the old naira notes.

Rivers APC Guber Candidate, Tonye Cole Dissociate Self From Tinubu’s Victory, Deletes Facebook Post Congratulating Him Over Backlash From Obi’s Supporters

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Rivers APC Guber Candidate, Tonye Cole Dissociate Self From Tinubu’s Victory, Deletes Facebook Post Congratulating Him Over Backlash From Obi’s Supporters

 

Tonye Cole, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has deleted the Facebook post he published on his verified Facebook page to congratulate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over his victory at the just concluded presidential election.

Mr. Cole had come under serious cyber attack from commenters believed to be supporters of the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.

The post was deleted after about one hour it was published, showing that Mr. Cole was looking more at getting votes from LP supporters than those of his party, APC.

However, realizing that the post may have offended supporters of Obi’s LP and will cost him the expected votes, he deleted it, prompting question as to whether he was dissociating himself from Tinubu and APC victory in the presidential election.

The post reads:

I join millions of Nigerians to congratulate President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his resounding and expected victory at the just concluded presidential poll.

When you emerged the presidential candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), I had no doubt about your ability to lead our party to our third triumph at the presidency because of your pedigree and intimidating track record.

Your conquest is an attestation that majority of Nigerians believe in the milestones you achieved in Lagos State from 1999 to 2007, and your immense contributions to our democracy over the years.

This victory is very important to Rivers State APC because our state is among the states you won convincingly; this shows that our party is fully on ground in the state.

I am looking forward to working with you when we replicate same landslide victory in our dear Rivers State on 11th of March.

– Tonye Cole, mni.

Young Boy Commits Suicide Over Peter Obi’s Lost

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Young Boy Commits Suicide Over Peter Obi’s Lost

Information coming from Plateau State indicate that a young boy committed suicide in Plateau State following the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] that the candidate of the All Progressive Congress [APC], Ahmed Bola Tinubu won the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.

This information was published on a twitter handle.

See below.

 

 

We are ready to meet Obi, Labour Party in court, says APC

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We are ready to meet Obi, Labour Party in court, says APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it is ready to meet Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in court over his claim of electoral fraud in Feb. 25 presidential election.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, Director Media and Publicity APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

The statement was the APC PCC reaction to comments made by Obi, at a news conference in Abuja.

“We welcome the decision of Mr Obi to seek redress in court as an aggrieved party if he is convinced of the evidences of electoral frauds he will present before the tribunal as alleged.

“Going to court is part of the electoral process and it is the most decent, statesmanlike and civilised course of action to take,“ Onanuga said.

He said the APC PCC salute the decision, adding that it was better than calling supporters to the streets and instigating social unrest.

He, however, challenged some specific claims in Obi`s press address, saying that contrary to his statement, it was not true that the election was not free and fair.

Onanuga said the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly election was one of the most transparent and peaceful elections in the history of Nigeria.

“It is because the process was credible that made it possible for Obi’s Labour Party to record the over six million votes it got contrary to pre-election forecast.

“That Labour Party and Obi surprised bookmakers by winning in Lagos, Nasarawa, Plateau, Delta and Edo States where there are sitting governors of either the APC or the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Those governors have entrenched political machinery,’’ Onanuga said, adding that Obi’s win, attest to the credibility of the election process in those states.

He noted that most of the sitting governors contested election to go to the Senate and lost to little known candidates of Labour Party.

He added that the Labour Party also swept the entire five South-East states under the control of either APGA, PDP or APC.

“We believe that the Labour Party presidential candidate contradicted himself and exposed himself by suggesting that the election was only credible in states and places his party won.

“We need to forewarn Obi, that when he gets to court he should be prepared to tell the world how his party won over 90 per cent of votes in his region of South-East while other parties got almost nothing.

“We have evidence of voters suppression, intimidation and harassment in South-East, especially of those who came out to vote for our party,“ Onanuga said.

Onanuga said it was the assumption of the APC PCC that Labour Party would enlist PDP agents to prove its fraud claims since it is an affiliate of PDP.

He stressed that Obi did not win the presidential election and could not had won under any circumstances.

“This is because he had no path to winning a national election in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society like Nigeria.

“Where a candidate running in a national election must appeal to the cross-section of our pluralistic society,’’ he said.

He noted that God created the country in a way to makes it impossible for any part to exist without the other.

He added that the framers of our Constitution also worked to bind our country together.

“What this means is that any aspiring politician for the presidency of Nigeria must have a Pan Nigeria appeal and strong support and must be embraced by adherents of other religions.

“Obi and his party knew why they failed, they knew they had no path to victory with their negative and dangerous campaign.

“We owe Labour Party and Obi the blunt truth: They failed in the election, no amount of red-herring and misinformation about the election and the outcome can obliterate this reality.

“The President-Elect who was the candidate of our party, Asiwauju Bola Tinubu won a Pan Nigeria mandate in a free, fair and credible election.

“He is ready and prepared to assume office so he can serve the people of our country with sincerity and honour,“ Onanuga said.

Police officer kills woman, then shoots himself dead

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Police officer kills woman, then shoots himself dead

A Police officer on Wednesday morning has shot a yet-to-be-identified woman dead and also shot himself.

The incident which has been confirmed by the State Police Command occurred at the Chapel Redemption, UMCA, Agba Dam area of the Ilorin metropolis.

A Press Statement released by Command’s spokesman SP Okasanmi Ajayi said, “At about 08:05 hours of March 2, 2023, information reached the command that a man in police uniform later identified by his uniform and name tag as F/NO 497093. Sergeant Olalere Michael “M,” later known to be attached to 15 PMF, Ilorin went to Chapel of Redemption Agba Dam housing estate in Ilorin and shot and killed a yet-to-be-identified lady, then shot himself in the head and died”

“Immediately after the information got to the command, the Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, CP Paul Odama, psc+, dispatched a team of policemen and detectives to the scene, where the corpses were recovered and deposited at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, where the bodies were certified dead”

“The command wishes to state clearly that the deadly incident was an aftermath of love gone sour and that it has nothing to do with police brutality”.

“Meanwhile, investigation of this unfortunate incident is in progress, and the report of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is ready”

How Benue APC Chairman lost polling unit, ward; accused of antiparty in own LG

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How Benue APC Chairman lost polling unit, ward; accused of antiparty in own LG

By Abdulateef Bamgbose

Comrade Austin Agada, the Chairman of Benue State All Progressives Congress (APC) had an abysmal outing in the 25th February, 2023, Presidential and National Assembly elections in his locality.

This, according to a source, was largely due to alleged antiparty activities, on the part of the Chairman.

Agada led his party to an embarrassing defeat from top to bottom; he lost his polling unit, ward, and local government to other political parties.

The former student union leader showed no capacity as candidates of his party were defeated at all levels right in his backyard.

Despite hailing from Ogbadibo local government, Agada’s party performed woefully in the council, finishing a distant third behind the Labour Party (LP) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

It was alleged that, the youthful and vibrant State Chairman entered into an accord with the Labour Party candidate for the Benue South Senate, Hon. Joe Ojobo, who hails from the same locality, Owukpa, Ogbadibo LGA, who emerged winner in all the units and wards of Owukpa and eventually won at Ogbadibo LG collation center.

However, “the move by Agada to covertly work in favour of his mistress, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for House of Representatives, Aida Ogwuche, fell short, as the windfall of the Labour Party senatorial votes overshot votes he was able to secure for PDP”, a source told our Reporter.

“In the presidential election in the council, the Labour Party scooped the highest votes with 10,154 votes, while the PDP came second with 3,460 votes.

“Austin Agada’s APC finished last among the top three with just 3,129 votes.

“For the senatorial election, the LP again won the APC state chairman’s local government with 6,414 votes. Again PDP came second with 5,924 votes while APC scored just 4,698 votes.

“The House of Representatives election in the local government also saw the Labour Party scooping the highest number of votes; 6,080 votes. The PDP got 6,055 votes while APC scored just 4,857”, the source spoke further.

He said, “Although the APC candidate, Chief Philip Agbese emerged winner of the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency elections, and the eventual winner of the presidential election, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won Benue State with a slim margin, Agada as a party chairman has zero influence on the outcomes of the elections, having failed to win his polling unit, ward and local governments”.

Already, pundits are expressing worries over his ability to lead the party to victory in the forthcoming governorship and state Assembly elections.

His electoral value is being questioned following his “abysmal” outing in the presidential and National Assembly elections.

Recently, he has also been accused of anti-party, nepotism, mismanagement of office, and gross corruption.

Efforts made by our newspaper to reach the Benue APC Chairman on Thursday proved abortive as his cell phones were switched off.

But in his reaction, Amb. Martinez Ibn Tyotsumeh, Director of Media and Publicity to Agada, urged the public to wade off the report, describing it as the “antics of the 5th columnist”, who have been working round the clock to sabotage the administration of his principal.

He warned those behind the rumour to up their ante and stop reducing Comrade Agada to a Unit or local government Chairman.

“Comrade Austin Agada is a workaholic and result oriented State Chairman of our dear party, he can’t be reduced to a mere unit or local government Chairman. These people want to turn our capacity chairman to a sectional leader or a clan head.

“For a man as Agada, the bigger aim was to deliver Benue State to APC, which he has done gallantly. He couldn’t have voted in his polling unit and still stay back to fight over votes that are not up to 50; whereas, his attention was needed at the state Secretariat.

“Those fanning the ember of hate should at at least acknowledge the fact that, since the history of APC in Benue State, this was the first time that the party would win 10 out of 11 Federal Constituency seats; 2 out of the 3 Senatorial seats and delivered the Presidential candidate of APC”, he added.

Aisha Buhari receives wife of President-elect

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Aisha Buhari receives wife of President-elect

First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, has congratulated the wife of the President-elect, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on the success of her husband at the polls. She was speaking during a courtesy visit by Mrs. Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Mrs. Buhari said the President-elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Senator Kashim Shettima, would not betray the trust and confidence that Nigerians repose in them.

While praying that Mrs. Tinubu’s tenure as First Lady will be marked with joy and success, she noted the sacrifices that many women made during the campaign and election periods, especially the APC Women’s presidential campaign team. “We say great kudos to you all. Your efforts have confirmed that women hold a huge stake in elective power in Nigeria.

She recalled how vigorously issues of gender mainstreaming and affirmative action were pursued by her office and expressed confidence that, as a parliamentarian, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu will continue where she leaves off.

Earlier, the wife of the President-elect, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, said she was at the Presidential Villa to express her gratitude for the motherly role that the First Lady played during the campaign and urged her to continue to provide the same level of support at all times. Mrs. Tinubu noted that the First Lady has been exceptional during the town halls, rallies, and door-to-door campaigns, in both her words and her deeds, and said her contribution will be remembered for a long time to come.

On the entourage of Mrs. Tinubu are Mrs. Nana Kashim Shettima, wife of the Vice President-elect, the woman leader of the APC, Dr. Betta Eduh, APC Women campaign coordinator, Dr. Asabe Vilita Bashir, wives of governors, and other party officials.

Anambra: Citizens Finger State Govt, INEC Officials on Conspiracy to Deny LP Victory in Ogbaru Federal Constituency

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Anambra: Citizens Finger State Govt, INEC Officials on Conspiracy to Deny LP Victory in Ogbaru Federal Constituency
By Abdulateef Bamgbose
A socio-political group, the League of Ogbaru Professionals(LOP), has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, to ensure the immediate release of result of the House of Representatives election in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, conducted on February 25.
The group said in a statement signed by it’s chairman, Dr. Innocent Ezekude noted that it was “shocking that while results for the presidential election held all over the nation has been collated and a winner declared, that of Ogbaru Federal Constituency held on the same day, and time, still hangs in the balance.”
It could be recalled that the collation of results of the Ogbaru House of Representatives election was progressing smoothly, until the wee hours of Tuesday, February 28, 2023 when, allegedly, at Governor Soludo’s behest, the team was directed to move every document concerning the election to Awka, the state’s  capital.
According to Dr.Ezekude, “We gathered that before the directive came, the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Arinzechukwu Awogu, was trailing the Labour Party flag bearer, Hon. Afam Ogene, with 9,125 votes to 10, 339 votes garnered by the latter.
“Our findings further showed that by 9 am on the same Tuesday, February 28, 2023 the quartet of Political Adviser to Governor Soludo, Mr. Alex Obiogbolu, Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Collins Nwabunwanne and Sly Ezeokenwa, Commissioner in charge of Special Duties, swooped on the INEC headquarters in Awka and remained there till well past 6 pm.
“Besides being close associates of Governor Soludo, Obiogbolu was overheard boasting gleefully that ‘Ogbaru would soon fall to APGA.
“Although many contend that Governor Soludo may not be directly involved in the scheme, political watchers say his officials may have embarked on the expedition purely for percuniary gains.
“As indigenes of Ogbaru, we cannot stand aloof and watch persons who lost the same elections in their various federal constituencies come to toy with the destiny of Ogbaru people.
“Even the unofficial line by INEC, to the effect that make-up election needs to be held in areas where it’s personnel could not deploy materials makes little or no sense, especially as such make-up elections have been held in several places, including Abia North Senatorial Zone, and results declared.
“In fact, from the grapevine, the story from the electoral umpire keeps oscillating, from an initial 19 units to 33, then 45, and lately 51 polling units where fresh elections are to be held in Ogbaru.
“Regrettably, in the haste to do the master’s bidding, even places where elections have been held, and polling unit, ward and local government collation done and copies collected by agents of different political parties, are inexplicably added to the growing list of places earmarked for new polls.
“It is, indeed, heart wrenching that six days after the conduct of elections in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, no one in INEC has deemed it right to speak to the people, leaving huge tension to hover all over the landscape.
“Conscious of the prevailing security challenges in the area, we call on Governor Soludo to rein in his men, who actually may have been dropping his name, and the National Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakubu, to ensure that the right thing is done.”

INEC’s declaration of Asiwaju Tinubu of APC President-elect, null, void ab initio – voters rights association

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INEC’s declaration of Asiwaju Tinubu of APC President-elect, null, void ab initio – voters rights association

By Chuks Eke

Voters Rights Association of Nigeria, VRAN has described the result of last Saturday’s presidential election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as null and void an initio.

President of the association, Dr. Jezue Ekejiuba, a human rights lawyer in a press statement issued yesterday in Onitsha, via SMS, said that the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, as the 37th state in Nigeria must be won by a presidential candidate before such candidate can be declared a president-select of Nigeria.

According to Dr. Ekejiuba, “It is not a question of if Section 134 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended is tested in court. It is all about interpreting the simple provision of the constitution in the court of law to right the wrong visited on the Nigerian voters by INEC”.

Ekejiuba further declared: ” In Gani Fawehinmi’s case, the Supreme court held that every citizen of Nigeria has locus standi to approach a court of law for purpose of interpreting the provision of the constitution”.

“Going to court to interprete a provision of the constitution is not a pre-election or post-election matter. As such all the citizens of Nigeria aggrieved with the election outcome especially a violation of the constitution are free to go to court to seek redress”.

“Some legal minds have cited some Supreme court and Court of Appeal decisions which held that FCT, Abuja is a state. Nobody is quarrelling with this decision. It is true that Abuja is the 37th state or one of the 37 states of Nigeria”.

“But even if Tinubu of APC wins 25 percent of votes cast in 36 states of Nigeria, Section 134 (2) (b) specifically provided that winning Abuja State is a condition precedent for him to be declared President-elect at the first ballot”.

“Interestingly, the INEC’s tally was based on 2/3 of 36 States which is 24 states.The extra 6 states tallied for the so-called election winner as having won 25 percent spread vote does not legally count in the eyes of the law”.

“Why did INEC not tally the vote based on figure 37 states. INEC has no power to exclude FCT, Abuja as a must 25 percent win!”.

“Section 134(2)(b) is clear and simple. FCT, Abuja even as a State is a must 25 percent win, otherwise the declaration of Tinubu as President-elect of Nigeria is null and void ab initio”.

Onitsha electricity consumers decry outrageous bills

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Onitsha electricity consumers decry outrageous bills

• threaten protest against EEDC
• call for revocation of DISCOS’ licenses

By Chuks Eke

Electricity consumers in Onitsha, the Anambra State commercial hub have decried the continued crazy and outrageous bills being chinned out to them by the authorities of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC.

Speaking through the Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation, HURIDE, the consumers told newsmen shortly after their general meeting in Onitsha and environs yesterday, said they have been groaning under the unabated EEDC outrageous bills without anything being done to address their plight.

The Executive Director of HURIDE, Dede Uzor A Uzor, in a press statement on behalf of the consumers said flats of three-bedroom apartments pay between M15,000 to N20,000 every month as electricity bills, accusing the EEDC of secretly increasing electricity tariffs contrary to that of the regulatory agency, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

The Onitsha consumers also accused EEDC of importing and installing fast reading prepaid metres which have made those using the metres equally pay outrageous bills.

Even in the face of all these, said the consumers, EEDC does not supply them power and they were made to carry out every repair and replace damaged items like transformers, cables, G&P, oil and other items”.

“Even with all these high tariffs, we face blackout on daily basis. And we learnt there is enough power but they don’t want to supply us so that they can make a huge profit to take care of the large appetite of their masters” HURIDE said.

They said with the hopeless situation of things, the best option is for the Federal Government to cancel the licences of Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOS and democratise the licensing so that there can be competition.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, revoke the license of EEDC since they have failed to provide light to the people of the South East, rather they have been extorting the people through outrageous bills”.

They also threatened to mobilise electricity consumers in the South East, who they said they believe are suffering the same fate to protest against EEDC and their masters. Dede Uzor cautioned.

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