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Presidential Election: Atiku,PDP Kick-Start Case Against Buhari …Tender 5197 Exhibits From Niger, Yobe …INEC, Buhari, APC Fail To Stop Proceedings
The Presidential Election Tribunal, yesterday, opened hearing in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, challenging President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory with 883 exhibits from Niger State admitted so far.
This is coming as the 88-year old erudite Professor of Law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ben Nwabueze, yesterday, took over as head of the legal team representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate, Atiku Abubakar at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
He took over from Dr Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, on a day the five-member tribunal headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, okayed for the commencement of full-blown hearing on the petition challenging President Buhari’s re-election.
Nwabueze, who was granted permission to address the tribunal on a wheelchair, said his presence was to underscore the importance of the case to the constitutional development of the nation.
“I have chosen to appear on this auspicious day of commencement of hearing on this epoch day.
“I had to travel to attend, notwithstanding my age and attendant health challenges. This is to underscore the importance of this case to the constitutional development of this country, a matter that I have been passionate about all these years”.
Thereafter, Nwabueze prayed to be excused by the tribunal, but not after he dropped with the Registry, a copy of the speech he said he would have delivered at the inaugural sitting of the tribunal that held on May 15.
“I wish your lordships more grace and Nigeria well,” he added.
Shortly after he handed over a copy of his speech to the Registry, Nwabueze left the tribunal, even as Uzoukwu took over and announced that the petitioners would commence with presenting witnesses and evidence with respect to the conduct of the presidential election in Niger State.
Meanwhile, before the petitioners could kick-start the hearing process, all the respondents – the Independent National Electoral Commission, President Muhammadu Buhari, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), opposed the continuation of the proceeding.
Counsel to Buhari, Chief Mike Igbokwe, SAN, decried that despite the order of the tribunal that all documents that would be tendered from the Bar, should be filed and exchanged by parties, the petitioners only served him two schedules of documents to be tendered with respect to Jigawa and Niger states, before the proceeding commenced.
“I urge this court to suspend the trial until they comply with an order of the court made yesterday by consent of parties that schedule of documents to be tendered must be filed and exchanged between parties”, Igbokwe added.
Similarly, counsel to INEC, Yunus Usman, SAN, and that of APC, Yakubu Mekyau, SAN, accused the petitioners of attempting to ambush them.
All the respondents said they were not ready to go on with the hearing.
Nevertheless, Uzoukwu urged the court to ignore the objections he said was deliberately aimed to frustrate the hearing.
“Seriously, our time of presenting our petition is being compromised by the respondents, bearing in mind that this petition has a timeline that is fast approaching”, he added.
The petitioners’ counsel noted that all the documents to be tendered were originally listed in the petition, saying there was, therefore, nothing the respondents could be surprised about.
Uzoukwu expressed surprise over the observation made by the respondents’ lawyers.
He said his team “should be commended and not condemned”, as he could not have served the schedule earlier than Thursday morning, because the registry of the court only completed the processing earlier on Thursday.
He said the schedule to be used for Niger and Jigawa states was already with the respondents.
But ruling, the five-man bench led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed the respondents’ request, saying that the agreements reached between the parties at the pre-hearing session concluded earlier on Wednesday, had stipulated that trial would commence on Thursday.
Justice Garba, who delivered the ruling of the tribunal, added that the agreement reached which was adopted at the tribunal’s directive on Wednesday did also not make the service of the schedule of documents a condition-precedent for the commencement of trial.
He added that the respondents could also not validly claimed to have been ambushed by the alleged late filing of the schedule since the documents listed in it had been referenced in the petition filed and served on the respondents months ago.
The tribunal has admitted the Form EC8C for Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State tendered by the petitioners as Exhibit P1.
The petitioners’ lead counsel later tendered Forms EC8A and EC8B (series of polling unit and ward results) in respect of the said local government area.
It would be recalled PDP and Atiku had in their joint petition, maintained that data they independently secured from INEC’s back-end server, revealed that they defeated Muhammadu Buhari at the poll with over 1.6million votes.
They alleged that INEC had at various stages of the presidential election, unlawfully allocated votes to Buhari, saying they would adduce oral and documentary evidence to show that result of the election as announced by the electoral body, did not represent the lawful valid votes cast.
They alleged that in some states, INEC deducted lawful votes that accrued to PDP and Atiku, in its bid to ensure that Buhari was returned back to the office.
The petitioners said they would call evidence of statisticians, forensic examiners and finger-print experts at the hearing of the petition to establish that the scores credited to Buhari were not the product of actual votes validly cast at the polling units.
The petitioners said they intended to call 400 witnesses, “or as many as possible within the prescribed time,” to prove their case.
However, all the respondents had since filed processes to challenge the competence of the petition, which they said, should be dismissed.
The tribunal had given the petitioners 10 days to present their case, while the respondents would take six days each to enter their defence.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.