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Tinubu Hails Supreme Court Verdict, Vows To Work For Prosperous Nigeria

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By Abubakar Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court verdict that upheld his election victory at the February 25 presidential poll.

The apex court in its ruling dismissed the appeals by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart Peter Obi.

In a unanimous judgment on Thursday, the apex court dismissed the petitions. A seven-judge panel ruled as without merit the opposition appeals over claims of fraud, electoral law violations, and Tinubu’s ineligibility to run for president.

Hours after the verdict, Tinubu issued a statement, saying the nation’s judiciary has never been shaken.

The President said the judgment has laid to rest the agitations trailing the outcome of the keenly contested poll that put him ahead of the PDP and LP candidates.

“While the verdict of today has laid to rest the agitating discourse over who truly won the 2023 Presidential election and met the constitutional requirements as laid out by law, I want to reiterate that my faith in our nation’s judiciary has never been shaken, not even for a moment, because I know that our hallowed courts of law will not fail to administer justice to all Nigerians in all matters and at all times,” he said.

“Despite the fusillade of pressure and attempts at intimidation by some political actors, the judiciary demonstrated its unequivocal commitment to upholding the rule of law for the upliftment and defence of humanity.”

The statement read “It was affirmed once more today, that my party, the governing All Progressives’ Congress, had freely and fairly won the popular mandate of Nigerians, which has since given rise to my leadership of this great nation at a tumultuous period of unprecedented reforms in our history as a nation.

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“With deep gratitude to God Almighty, I solemnly and humbly accept today’s judicial victory with an intense sense of responsibility and a burning desire to meet the great challenges confronting our people.

“The victory of today has further energised and strengthened my commitment to continue to serve all Nigerians of all political persuasions, tribes, and faiths, with honour and total respect for the diverse opinions and uniting values of our citizens.

“Our Renewed Hope agenda for a greater and prosperous Nigeria has further gained momentum and I will continue to work from morning to night, every single day, to build a country that meets our collective yearnings and aspirations.

“We are all members of one household, and this moment demands that we continue to work and build our country together. The strength of our diversity and the great citizenship that binds us must now compel us forward in directing the energy of our people towards building a virile, stronger, united, and more prosperous country.

“In the days and months ahead, I trust that the spirit of patriotism will be elevated into supporting our administration to improve the living conditions of Nigerians. I am prepared to welcome the contributions of all Nigerians to foster and strengthen our collective progress.

“I send my immense gratitude to all Nigerians for the mandate to serve our country. I promise again to meet and exceed your expectations in service delivery and good governance, working with my team and trusting in the grace of God”.

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Politics

Criminalise Electoral Fraud, Yiaga Africa Urges FG

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A civil society organisation, Yiaga Africa, has urged the Federal Government to criminalise electoral fraud in order to sanitise the country’s electoral process.

The Executive Director of the CSO, Mr Samson Itodo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja.

Itodo stated that practices such as vote buying, violence, thuggery, and result manipulation had constituted a serious hindrance to electing credible political representatives in Nigeria.

“What we are now seeing is people with purchasing power buying their way through during elections and the replacement of competence with mediocrity.

“Politicians now know the language of the people because they have weaponised poverty,” he said.

According to him, what the country now needs are stringent laws that will criminalise vote buying, thuggery, and other forms of electoral fraud.

Itodo said that the provisions in the Electoral Act currently address bribery and conspiracy, which are insufficient to tackle the menace.

“I think we need to clearly outline and define vote buying, and also prosecute the sponsors and their agents who are buying and selling votes.

“We also need to constantly reorientate people and explain to them why the politicians are buying votes,” he said.

The Executive Director said that if these measures were implemented and people used their votes wisely, it would ensure credibility in the country’s electoral process.

According to him, until the state begins to prosecute and jail those instigating and perpetrating violence, nothing will change.

“The majority of the political class want power at all costs and are willing to kill just to secure it.

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“One of the ‘sins’ they said Yiaga Africa committed was exposing these frauds. For me, if that is a sin, I shall commit it many times over.

“That way, people can hold them to account. But if we continue to allow our electoral process to be captured by political actors, we will get to a point where only one per cent of people will turn out to vote,” he added.

Itodo, while stressing the need for Nigerians to vote en masse during elections, said that the current level of voter turnout cannot bring about change.

“If Nigerians show up in large numbers, I bet you, they will determine the outcome of such elections. It is easier to rig an election when people don’t show up.

“If people show up and insist that the right thing be done, then it will be difficult for those people to manipulate the process,” he said.

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Umahi declares Ebonyi APC stronghold

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The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, declared on Saturday that there is no opposition party in Ebonyi aside from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Umahi stated this made during a grand civic reception held in his honour by the Okposi-Okwu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

The event celebrated the minister for his quality leadership and contributions to national development.

He called on the South-East and the rest of Nigeria to show more support and solidarity for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“There is no opposition party in Ebonyi. Only APC exists. If you are bold, come and contest against us.

“We must support President Tinubu. I am happy to be honoured today. I accept it and will bring more infrastructure to Okposi-Okwu,” he said.

He dedicated the award to President Tinubu, who he said had changed the South-East’s political narrative.

“The greatest honour is continuous support for the president and commitment to complete projects in the region,” Umahi said.

He also encouraged all governors to unite in support of national development and progress.

The Chairman of the occasion, former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, praised Umahi as an illustrious and visionary son.

“Umahi remains a transformer in governance. I congratulate him and pray for greater achievements,” Anyim said.

In his address, Gov. Francis Nwifuru said the South-East owes a debt of gratitude to President Tinubu and must support him.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, also commended the community for recognising Umahi.

“I join the people of Okposi-Okwu in congratulating Umahi for his remarkable impact and exceptional leadership across Nigeria,” said Abiodun.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by members of the National Assembly and other dignitaries. (NAN)

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Bauchi Deputy Governor’s Aide Denies Slapping Tuggar

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Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.

The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.

The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.

According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.

Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.

But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.

“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.

“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”

Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.

“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.

“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”

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He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.

“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.

“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.

“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”

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