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Group Hails Appeal Court Judgement Upholding Rep’s Deputy Speaker’s Election
A group, the Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) has hailed the decision of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal, for affirming the election of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
NDRA, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday by its national chairman, Hon Bright Ngolo, said the Appeal Court judgement has put paid to the sponsored ambushment of a mandate freely given to Kalu by the people of Bende Federal Constituency on February 25, 2023.
The statement reads in part: “The ruling delivered yesterday by the Appelate Court and final court of adjudication on all legislative election matters in Nigeria puts paid to the sponsored ambushment of a mandate freely given by the people of Bende federal Constituency on the 25th February 2023.
“Recall that our organization had raised alarm over the activities of fifth columnists who had impersonated the candidate of the Action Alliance in that election to surreptitiously sponsor a petition at National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia state against the Deputy Speaker.
“The Court of first instance (National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal) headed by Justice Sampson Gane, in a unanimous judgement, threw away the petition which claimed the AA party logo was excluded from the ballot papers.
“The NDRA is forced to join issues by way of educating those who hatched the failed plot of denying Abia State and the Niger Delta region the services of a refined lawmaker view as enemies of Ndi Abia. We point them again to the letters of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended); as we believe their plot was ill-choreographed!
“We thank their Lordships, for seeing through the veil of an obfuscated attempt at deceiving the Courts that a petitioner existed in the Kalu case.
“We praise both layers of the Court for refusing to be manipulated into awarding victory to a party without a candidate or surrendering the corrupt and inept machinations of the Secretary of the Abia State Tribunal (Mr Bello Hassan), who turned himself into a Court within the Court by attempting to adjudicate upon the decision of the three man panel of the Court.
“Thus, we believe that such officers in our judicial system, must have to be fished out and punished by the National Judicial Council.
“The NDRA calls on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to investigate all financial transactions made by Mr Bello Hassan within the election petitions window, his hotel accommodation and movements to confirm our call for his investigation and subsequent prosecution.
“We invite Nigerians not to deter in monitoring the activities going on in the judiciary and speak up inorder to dissuade lawleslessness, resort to self help and rascality in the name of a democracy.”
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Northern Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) has strongly condemned the brutal killings of innocent residents in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. Dr. Joseph Hayab, described the attack that claimed at least 52 lives as barbaric, tragic, and utterly unacceptable.
He also extended heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang, and the people of the state over what he termed “yet another senseless bloodshed.”
Hayab expressed deep concern over the recurring violence plaguing communities across Northern Nigeria, noting that the persistent culture of bloodshed continues to claim innocent lives.
“We totally condemn this strange and evil culture of taking human lives. Hiding under religion, ethnicity, or any guise to unleash terror on communities is unacceptable. Our societal value for human life has dangerously eroded, and this must not be allowed to continue,” the statement read.
” We’re heartbroken by the latest carnage, our prayers are with the victims’ families and the affected communities in Bokkos.
“This bloodletting must stop. We urge security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous crime and ensure they face the full weight of the law. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. The pattern of mass killings and mass burials repeated in different communities year after year must be broken through firm and proactive measures,” the statement continued.
The Christian body also called on religious, traditional, and community leaders to preach peace, unity, and tolerance among their people.
“These wanton killings must not become the new normal. Nigeria must not degenerate into a nation where human lives are wasted without consequences. We must all rise and say, ‘Enough is enough,’” it stated.
While commending the Plateau State Government for its swift response and the reported arrests, the association urged the government to remain steadfast in its commitment to peace, justice, and security.
Northern CAN also appealed to citizens to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
“May the souls of the departed rest in peace. We pray that God comforts the bereaved families and grants healing to the wounded and affected communities,” the statement concluded.
Lacopo Foti, the ambassador of Italy to Nigeria, says his country is ready to collaborate with Kaduna manufacturing and technology, pledging to support investments from Italian companies in the state.
Foti spoke during a courtesy visit to Hadiza Balarabe, Kaduna’s deputy governor, at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Saturday.
The envoy also highlighted Italy’s willingness to collaborate with the state government.
“We have come to introduce ourselves, learn about the government’s plans, and see if there are investments which you want the Italian Embassy to facilitate,” Foti was quoted as saying in a statement.
“If there are private investments you desire in Kaduna, especially in machinery or manufacturing, or if you have plans for the next few years, let us know. If you’re interested in agricultural machinery companies like tractor plants, we can make contact with them.”
The ambassador also encouraged the state government to approach the Italian embassy for partnerships.
“We are ready to collaborate in manufacturing, technology and other areas,” he added.
Foti expressed optimism that in the coming months, Italy and Kaduna would collaborate on agriculture, education, and training — pending proposals from the state regarding their interests to present to the Italian government.
He said Italian investors would find Kaduna’s climate more favourable than Abuja’s, noting that the state is also people-friendly.
“We have Italians living here; this visit is an opportunity to meet them and see how we can help them and the State Government,” the envoy noted.
In response, Balarabe acknowledged the long-standing relationship between Italy and Nigeria, expressing interest in strengthening economic ties.
She highlighted Kaduna’s advantages in agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, energy, technology, and human capital development, noting that the state is the largest producer of maize, tomatoes, and ginger in Nigeria.
“Italy excels in manufacturing, technology, education, and renewable energy. I hope we can establish collaboration in these areas,” the deputy governor said.
Balarabe, who directed the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) to prepare a proposal for the Italian embassy, also expressed hope that the ambassador’s visit would initiate substantial discussions between the state and Italy.
She said Kaduna looks forward to further engagement with the ambassador, expressing hope that it would not be his last visit to the state.
The Executive Committee and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State have passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani ahead of 2027, declaring that there would not be vacancy in the Aso Rock Villa and Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna during the next election.
This is contained in a communiqué signed by Francis Danladi Kozah and Jerry Irimiya Mark, chairman and co-chairman of the APC stakeholders and read by the council chairman, Joseph Bege.
The communique stated that the decision was taken based on President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s commitments to the peace and security of not just Zangon Kataf, but Kaduna state at large.
According to the stakeholders, the establishment of a military 2nd National Mission Brigade base in the local government has proven to be a pivotal move in sustaining peace in the area.
“Their commitment to the peace and security of our people is evident in the sudden end to attacks on our communities.
“This move reflects the government’s understanding of the critical need for enhanced security measures in areas prone to conflict, thereby fostering an environment where citizens can thrive.
“We urge all residents of Zangon Kataf to remain vigilant and committed to fostering harmony within our communities, as peace is the cornerstone of development,” They said.
The stakeholders lauded Tinubu for appointing Indigenes of Zangon Kataf including Gen. Chris Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and Bishop Hassan Kukah as Pro Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.
They explained that given the return of peace in the area and the tangible infrastructural development being witnessed, the re-election of Tinubu and Sani was a done deal.
“In light of all that we have benefited from this government, we want to declare that there is no vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and Aso Rock come 2027.
“We shall offer our full support to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in their re-election bid,” they added.
They appreciated Gov. Sani for the ongoing multi-billion naira skills acquisition city that will provide ‘our youths with certified skills, thereby stamping out the root cause of criminality in our society’.
The stakeholders called on people of the local government to rally behind the two leaders as they have shown dedication to their welfare, security and progress.