A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sunday Sylvester Moniedafe, has described the recent telephone conversation between US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as an auspicious diplomatic step toward strengthening relations between the two countries.
In an interview with journalists in Abuja, Moniedafe, said the needless uproar the phone conversation generated especially from the opposition camps beats his imagination because, according to him, the country has countless and limitless opportunities that will come
Chief Moniedafe enjoined those who are “creating a mountain out of a molehill” to understand that the telephone conversation, which was initiated by the US diplomat, “was open and frank, and our ingenious president-elect, the Jagaban, seized the felicitous moment to reiterate his resolve which is aimed at prioritizing institutional reforms and development programs, deepening our democratic institutions and bringing succour to poor and vulnerable Nigerians”.
Chief Moniedafe, who holds the traditional title of Jagaban Jimeta in Adamawa State, and frontline contender for the office of the national chairman of the ruling APC, before it was zoned to north central, noted that “Asiwaju was in his element when he converse with the US diplomat that without national unity, national security, economic development and good governance, Nigeria would not be a better place to visit, live in, and do business, as well as continue to play her leading role among African nations”.
Moniedafe was emphatic that the Asiwaju he has come to know in the political firmament of Africa’s largest democracy and the world’s most populous black nation, “will hit the ground running and Nigerians will have a better deal sooner than later, because he is a pragmatic democrat with demonstrable antecedent”.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said this in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, their arrest follows credible intelligence linking them to fraudulent internet activities.
”Items recovered from them include seven exotic cars, laptop computers and phones.
”They have made useful statements and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded,” he said.
“As in the previous days, the night was quiet, and the pope is now resting,” a spokesman said.
The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital for two weeks, where he is being treated for a severe bilateral pneumonia.
In recent days, Francis’ condition had slightly improved, according to official reports. Sources close to him revealed in the evening that he was “out of the most critical phase.”
The pope is receiving medication along with physiotherapy aimed at easing the respiratory infection, he is repeatedly being provided with extra oxygen through a face mask or a nasal tube.
This therapy is evidently effective as since the weekend, Francis has had no breathing difficulties, according to official reports. His blood values have also improved.
However, a discharge is not expected soon: “Given the complexity of the medical condition, further days of clinical stability are required,” an evening bulletin stated.
The pontiff has now been in hospital for longer than ever. Doctors still emphasise how dangerous such a severe pneumonia is at Francis’ age.
He was elected as the head of the Church in March 2013, succeeding the German Benedict XVI. Francis is now the second oldest pope in history.(dpa)
The Supreme Court on Friday declared as invalid, illegal, null and void, the local government election conducted in Rivers state on October 5 last year and won by the All People’s Party APP.
The apex court held that the election was invalid because all conditions precedent billed to be implemented were jettisoned by Rivers State Electoral Commission.
Specifically, Justice Jamilu Tukur who delivered the lead verdict held that the council poll was conducted in gross violations of section 150 of the Electoral Act 2022.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday
September 30, 2024 stopped the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the purpose of conducting the October 5, 2024 local government elections in the state.
The court had also barred the Inspector General of Police IGP and the Department of the State Service DSS from providing security.
Justice Peter Lifu issued the order against INEC, while delivering judgment in a suit brought before him by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The suit was argued on behalf of the APC by a team of senior lawyers comprising Joseph Daudu, Sebastine Hon and Ogwu James Onoja, all SANs.
Justice Lifu held that the RSIEC was wrong in fixing the October 5 date for the conduct of the poll into the 23 local governments when all relevant laws guiding the election had not been complied with.
Among others, the Judge held that the failure of Rivers Electoral body violated provision of local governments election conduct law by not publishing the mandatory 90 days notice before fixing the date.
Justice Lifu also held that the update and revision of voter register ought to have been concluded before an election date conduct be legally and validity fixed in law.
The Judge therefore ordered INEC not to make the certified voter register available to RSIEC until the law has been fully complied with.
He also barred RSIEC from accepting any voter register from INEC or using it for the purpose of the October 5 local governments poll.
