Politics

Appeal Court to deliver judgement on Kano election Friday

The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has scheduled tomorrow, November 17, 2023, for judgement on the governorship election dispute between Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP and Nasiru Gawuna of the APC.

It will be remembered that the governorship election tribunal in Kano, in its ruling, ousted the incumbent governor, Alhaji Yusuf, and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the winner of the election.

Dissatisfied with the ruling, Alhaji Yusuf appealed against the decision and petitioned the Appeal Court to declare him the rightful winner.

Recall that the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Yusuf, was previously announced by INEC as the election winner.

Both the state ruling party (NPPP) and the APC reportedly had high expectations regarding the upcoming ruling.

However, the state police command, through its spokesman, SP Haruna Kiyawa, issued a statement on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, prohibiting political gatherings.

The statement raised concerns about suspected preparations for violent processions, protests, or celebrations that might provoke reactions.

The state police commissioner, assuring residents of adequate security before and after the judgement, advised against making reckless statements or engaging in violent protests or celebrations that could incite reactions in the commercial city.

The command urged residents of the state, as well as all political parties, to celebrate the outcome in their homes.

Politics

Aiyedatiwa asks Ondo Assembly to confirm 12 commissioner nominees

Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has forwarded 12 commissioner nominees to the State House of Assembly for confirmation.

The commissioner designates were nominated four months after Aiyedatiwa’s swearing on on February 24, 2025.

Aiyedatiwa, according to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, sent a letter to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, requesting that the nominees be confirmed in order to boost his cabinet currently comprising just two commissioners and some Special Advisers.

According to the governor, the request was in tandem with exercise of the power conferred on him by Section 192 (1 & 2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“I wish to forward to your esteemed office the following commissioner nominees for your kind consideration and confirmation of the House of Assembly. I shall be most obliged to the Honourable House for your expeditious action on this request in the overall interest of our dear state.”

The nominees include Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Former Rector, RUGIPO and Former Vice-Chancellor, AAUA), Abiola Olawoye (Special Adviser on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing), Ayodele Akande, Alabi Johnson, Amidu Takuro, Adewale Akinlosotu and Idowu Ajanaku.

Others are Dr Oluwaseun Osamaye, Dr Tob Loko, Olaolu Akindolire, Sunday Olajide and Henry Omoyofunmi.

On January 15, 2025, Aiyedatiwa had dissolved the cabinet ahead of his inauguration, with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, retained.

Politics

Zamfara PDP to sue Matawalle over alleged defamation against Gov Lawal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State has resolved to sue the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mattawalle, for allegedly defaming the Governor Dauda Lawal.

A statement issued by spokesperson, Halliru Andi, said the Zamfara State PDP Working Committee (SWC) under the leadership of Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki is considering dragging Matawalle to court for alleged character assassination and baseless claims against Lawal.

“We have been monitoring the body language and unguarded utterances of Bello Matawalle and are considering court action against him.

“We have resolved to initiate legal action against him just to remind him of his limits as Junior Minister without immunity and to serve as deterrent to other egoistic politicians in the state,” the Zamfara PDP said.

The statement said PDP would no longer tolerate the politics of bitterness from Matawalle’s faction of the APC.

Politics

Tinubu refutes one-party state claims

Amid the gale of defections into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), President Bola Tinubu on Thursday rubbished claims that his government plans to make Nigeria a one-party state, declaring that it is not good for the country.

Tinubu said this while addressing a joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja as part of activities lined up to mark the 2025 Democracy Day.

“To those who ring the alarm that the APC is intent on a one-party state,
I offer you a most personal promise. While your alarm may be as a result of
your panic, it rings in error.

“At no time in the past, nor any instance in the present, and at no future juncture shall I view the notion of a one-party state as good for Nigeria. I have never attempted to alter any political party registration with INEC. Equally, my friends, we cannot blame anybody seeking to bail out of a sinking ship even without a life jacket,” he said.

Recalling his rule as an opposition governor while he administered Lagos State between 1999-2007, Tinubu said he has no intention to make Nigeria a one-party state but would not reject members of the opposition who want to join the APC.

“In 2003, when the then-governing party tried to sweep the nation
clean of political opposition through plot and manipulation, I was the last of
the progressive governors standing in my region,” Tinubu added.