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Tag: Hamzat

  • Tribunal: Rhodes-Vivour closes case against Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    Tribunal: Rhodes-Vivour closes case against Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat

    The Lagos State Labour Party governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, on Tuesday, closed his case against the victory of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu in the March 18 election before the election tribunal sitting in Ikeja.

    The Labour Party governorship candidate is also challenging the eligibility of Hazmat to contest on the grounds that he allegedly renounced his Nigerian citizenship and swore allegiance to the United States of America.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, the petitioner’s counsel, Mr Idowu Benson, informed the three-justice tribunal headed by Arum Ashom that the petitioner was closing his case.

    Ten witnesses had testified in the petition of the LP candidate.

    The counsel also tendered a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the INEC Form EC9 – an affidavit containing the particulars of a candidate – which was hand-filled by Hamzat and had been front-loaded by the counsel for the fourth respondent, All Progressives Congress (APC), before the tribunal.

    All the counsel for the four respondents objected to the admissibility of the document tendered by the petitioner.

    The tribunal, however, admitted the document into evidence and marked it as Exhibit PE713.

    The APC counsel, Mr Noris Quakers (SAN), said the CTC tendered by the petitioner was warehoused by the first respondent and did not form a part of the court records.

    “It is not a document before this tribunal.

    “It is only a document signed by the Independent National Electoral Commission that can be tendered.

    “We will further argue on why this document should not be admitted in the final written address,” he said.

    The INEC counsel, Mr Eric Obigor, informed the tribunal that he would pick a date to open their defence while commending the petitioner for closing his case.

    The tribunal ordered that the first respondent should open his case on the next adjourned date but he prayed the court for more time to put his house in order.

    “We will be taking a date to open our case and commend the petitioner for closing its case even though it was unexpected.

    “At the moment, for me to secure the attendance of my witness, I can not get them by tomorrow.

    “I will need to do consultations with the stakeholders of my client.

    “A day will enable me to put my house in order,” Obigor said.

    Counsel to Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat, Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), also commended the petitioner for closing its case while stating that they should have taken the wise retreat earlier.

    The proceedings was stalled on Monday due to health reasons of LP witness.

    The tribunal had on Monday adjourned the proceedings due to the ill health of a witness scheduled to testify in favour of Rhodes-Vivour.

    Benson had mentioned that the witness was in court but had to leave for treatment before proceedings commenced.

    The tribunal adjourned until July 5 for INEC to open its defence.

  • Petition: U.S. Immigration lawyer testifies against Lagos deputy governor

    Petition: U.S. Immigration lawyer testifies against Lagos deputy governor

    A U.S. Immigration lawyer, Mrs Olubusayo Fasidi, on Thursday said that Lagos Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat took oath of allegiance in the U.S. to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

    Fasidi, a Nigerian, testified before Lagos State Election Petition Tribunal.

    She was led in evidence by Dr Olumide Ayeni (SAN), counsel to the petitioner, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party.

    The witness told the tribunal that Hamzat, the third respondent in the petition, also applied for naturalisation as contained in Forms 8CFR/337 and N400.

    Ayeni tendered the documents to the three-man tribunal but counsel to all the respondents objected, saying that the reason for their objection would be included in their final written addresses.

    During cross-examination by Mr Eric Ogiegor, counsel to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the witness said that an individual could enjoy dual citizenship.

    She, however, said that she was not aware of the provision of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution that dealt with dual citizenship.

    She said that she was subpoenaed before the tribunal to explain U.S. law and not Nigeria’s Constitution.

    Mr Bode Olanipekun (SAN), counsel to Hamzat and Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, asked the witness to disclose the jurisdiction and date Hamzat applied for naturalisation but she said she would not, because the information was protected by Privacy Act of 1974.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) counsel,  Mr Norris Quakers, asked the witness if she was aware that Hamzat disclosed his American citizenship.

    The witness replied in the affirmative, and Quakers thereafter argued that the witness addressed issues of law and not those of facts.

    The tribunal led by Justice Arum Ashom, while admitting all the documents in evidence, ordered counsel to the respondents to include their objections in their final written addresses.

    The other members of the tribunal are Justice Mikail Abdullahi and Justice l.P. Braimoh.

    The tribunal adjourned the case until June 26 for continuation of hearing.

    Earlier, Ayeni presented result sheet from polling units in nine local government areas of the state to establish differences in some areas, against what is recorded on INEC’s Form EC 40A.

    Counsel to INEC, Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat and APC objected to the admissibility of the Form EC 40A, reserving reasons until their final written addresses.

    NAN

  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat declare assets

    Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat declare assets

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on Saturday submitted their Asset Declaration Forms.

    This is in compliance with Paragraph 11 Part 1 to the 5th Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which mandates political office holders to declare their assets on assumption and at the end of their term in office.

    Sanwo-Olu and the deputy had, by their action, satisfied Section 185(1) of the same Constitution that made it paramount for the political office holders to declare their assets before they take oath of office.

    The asset declaration was administered to the governor and the deputy by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, Board Member representing South West zone, and witnessed by Rt. Hon. Taofeek Abdulsalam, member and Mrs O Popoola, Lagos State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

    In compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that mandates political office holders to declare their assets on assumption and at the end of their term in office,

    ”My deputy and I have satisfied that necessary requirement before we take oath of office.

    ”Thank you Prof. S.F Ogundare, the board member representing South West zone, for administering the assets declaration process.

    ”I also thank Rt. Hon. Taofeek Olawale Abdulsalam, member, and Mrs O Popoola, Lagos State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau for being witnesses,” the governor said.

  • Lagos deputy governor, Hamzat, wins polling unit, defeats LP candidate

    Lagos deputy governor, Hamzat, wins polling unit, defeats LP candidate

    Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos state, has delivered his polling unit for the All Progressives Congress (APC) with a wide margin.

    Hamzat voted at Oke-Balogun polling unit 002, where he delivered massively for the APC flag bearer, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    APC polled 218 votes at Oke-Balogun as opposed to Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party who pulled 5 votes in the ward, while Dr Azeez Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party also polled 5 votes.

    Five votes were void in the ward.

  • Lagos Governorship Election: Funke Akindele, others submit educational certificates to INEC

    Lagos Governorship Election: Funke Akindele, others submit educational certificates to INEC

    Nollywood actress and Deputy Governorship candidate of Lagos State under Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Funke Akindele, and other aspirants have submitted their educational qualification certificates to the  Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  ahead of the state’s gubernatorial election.

    As the 2023 general elections draw nearer, politicians contesting for governorship and deputy governorship positions in Lagos state have submitted documents that captured their age and educational qualifications.

    The list pasted on the notice board of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) along Birrel in Yaba on Tuesday, showed that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate presented a First School Leaving Certificate (FLSC), West Africa Senior School Certificate (WASSC), and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) certificates.

    Lagos Governorship Election: Funke Akindele, others submit educational certificates to INEC

    Labour Party Governorship candidate, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour is contesting with First School Leaving Certificate and a degree.

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is contesting with First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), BSc., and MBA.

    His running mate and Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, is contesting with a Primary School certificate, WASC, BSc, MSc, and Ph.D.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Hamzat is the only candidate on the list with the highest educational qualification.

    The politician is set to launch her newest TV venture, Battle on Buka Street. The new project is a food challenge that would focus on who wins the crown as the King of Buka streets.

    The project is set to launch in December, the same month Toyin Abraham is premiering her movie, Ijakumo. Could this be a competition with the actress???

    It was gathered that the actress removed her husband’s surname, Bello, from her project.

    Before their separation, Funke partnered with her estranged husband in many of her productions and projects and added his surname to hers.

    However, it seems the actress is ready to go solely as she added her middle name to fill up her husband’s name spot.

  • Lagos deputy gov, Hamzat warns Labour Party supporters

    Lagos deputy gov, Hamzat warns Labour Party supporters

    The Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has warned political loyalists and supporters of the Labour Party to desist from cheap tactics that would not yield any political gains.

    Hamzat gave the warning in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Tunde Alao on Sunday in Lagos.

    An online picture of an individual captioned: “The Lagos State Deputy Governor’s son Femi Hamzat, joins the obidient rally in support of Peter Obi”, had gone viral on social media on Saturday after the #Obidient Rally in Lagos.

    According to the statement, For the avoidance of doubt, the gentleman in the displayed photograph is neither the deputy governor’s son nor his relative.

    “The viral message is another mischievous, false and malicious attempt to cause friction between the deputy governor and his admirers and loyalists across the nation.

    “Dr Hamzat has a reputation of commitment and loyalty to the Sanwo-Olu led administration and the All Progressives Congress.

    “His support is for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima. Our party and all our supporters are working hard to ensure that our candidates get the votes of Nigerians and ours is not about bogus statistics and lies.”

    The statement also added that any attempt to denigrate the deputy governor’s character by spewing falsehood about his family would remain a vain and futile attempt until eternity.

    It advised the supporters of the Labour Party to get serious with their campaigns and desist from cheap tactics that would not yield any political gains.

    “We hope that Nigerians will detect these tendencies to deceive and see it for what it is. It is too late in the day to keep lying to Nigerians. It won’t work.” the statement reads.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat for second term [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Tinubu endorses Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat for second term [VIDEO]

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially declared support and endorsed Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for second term in office.

    According to TheNewsGuru, this was the outcome of today’s Lagos APC Stakeholders meeting held at the Adeyemi Bero Hall in Alausa, Ikeja.

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    Tinubu gave the approval as he raised the hands of Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat.

    He said that Sanwo-Olu and his deputy had built an unbreakable team to raise the bar of excellence in governance and service delivery in the state, with visible achievements and progress to show for their efforts.

    According to him, such visible achievements earned the duo the opportunity to return for second term, and not a blank endorsement which many politicians seek.

    Tinubu, a presidential hopeful on APC platform, said Lagos under Sanwo-Olu’s leadership had remained a state of pride for residents and other Nigerians who craved responsive governance and progress.

    ”We have a brilliant governor at the helm of affairs, who is supported by his deputy to build an unbreakable team that has raised the bar of excellence in governance in Lagos. I specially thank Dr Hamzat, who has been a very good assistant and a pillar of support to the governor.

    ”Sanwo-Olu with Hamzat has raised an impenetrable team. I commend both of you and all members of the cabinet. You have all done wonderfully well and I must say that I am very proud of you,” he said.

    The raising of Sanwo-Olu’s hand by Tinubu was preceded by a motion moved by the Vice Chairman of APC (Lagos East), Mrs Saidat Oladunjoye, for open endorsement of the governor by the party’s leadership.

    The motion was seconded by a member representing Alimosho Constituency in the House of Assembly, Mr Kehinde Joseph.

    The APC Leader, however, said that the party in Lagos would not prevent any aspirant vying for any position from testing their strength at the primaries.

    He said that all candidates that would be fielded by the party across elective positions must go through a delegate electoral system.

    ”Aspirants who are showing interest in positions from House of Assembly to governorship, go and get your forms; you are going to contest primaries. There will not be any favouritism in the primaries.

    ”We want you to contest and test your popularity. Nobody will ask you to step down for another aspirant. Let all aspirants mobilise their supporters; if you win, you win. If you lose, there will not be a refund of the nomination form,” he said.

    Tinubu charged all leaders holding the party structure at the local government level to rise above their challenges and work with the community leaders in their respective councils, to mobilise for APC victory at the general elections.

    He directed the resolution of all grievances and disagreements causing disaffection among party members ahead of the primaries, stressing that division would not bring any good to party candidates standing for election.

    Speaking during the stakeholders meeting, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Tinubu paid the N50 million fee for APC Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for his second term bid.

    ”Asiwaju Tinubu is a generous man and he is doing a lot for people. He paid for my APC nomination and expression of interest forms to run for the second term,” he said.

    Sanwo-Olu expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his guidance and thanked the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) Leaders for standing by his government, in spite personal attacks they suffered.

    The governor said it was time for the party members across levels to foster cohesion and work for the APC’s success in the state and at the federal level.

    Sanwo-Olu, who described Tinubu as a ”priceless symbol” of Lagos, said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the state was not robbed of the presidential ticket of APC at the national primaries of the party.

    ”It is time to come together as determined party members and show genuine love towards our National Leader, who is our priceless symbol and pride in Lagos. We are taking him national and we must ensure his house is fully united,” he said.

    The stakeholders’ meeting, convened at the instance of Tinubu, was attended by Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, party executive members, GAC members, senatorial leaders and stalwarts across all local councils in the state.

  • Plant a tree to celebrate memorable events – Sanwo-Olu

    Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Sunday urged residents to plant trees to celebrate memorarable events to ensure safer, greener environments and to save the planet from further destruction.
    Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, made the call at the 2019 Tree Planting campaign, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Environment in Iganmu, Lagos.
    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s exercise, with the theme ‘Clean and Green is our Perfect Dream’, takes place simultaneously in 57 locations across the state.
    The Lagos governor said that the State aimed to meet the target of 10 million trees by the year 2020.
    “We cannot keep on ignoring climate change which is the most significant material risk to our future. It is also the world’s most devastating threat to human survival.
    “As we increase efforts to rid the state of waste, all hands must be on deck to improve the environment by adorning it with flowers, shrubs, plants and trees.
    “To this end, let our voices resonate across the state that as we mark our birthdays, dedicate our children or celebrate our children’s graduation, let’s plant a tree.
    “Whatever memorable event, let’s endeavour to mark it with planting trees. It is the future of our children and this act of benevolence to nature can save our planet from further destruction,’’ he said.
    Sanwo-Olu also announced the re-launch of the ‘One House, One Tree’ campaign across the state to ensure that every house in the state possessed at least one tree.
    According to him, this will go a long way to intensify the state government’s greening project.
    In his address, Mr Abiodun Bamigboye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, said that trees were important to the ecosystem as they control the climate by moderating effects of the sun, rain and wind.
    He urged residents and industrialists in the state to ensure a certain percentage of their properties were preserved for greening.
    “When we make it clean, let us also make it green; that way, we have made the environment safer and healthier for the generality of our people.
    “This is our perfect dream for a prosperous Lagos,’’ Bamigboye said.
    The Lagos State Government, under former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola in 2008, declared July 14 every year as Tree Planting day.

  • Lagos to become technology talent hub – Hamzat

    Lagos to become technology talent hub – Hamzat

    The Lagos State Government on Saturday said it was positioning the state as a technology talent hub for the world through training and job placement.
    The Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said this at an Engineering Summit Africa, organised by the engineering students of Lagos State University (LASU) in Lagos.
    The theme of the summit is, “Engineering, Technology and Economic Growth: A Global View”.
    Hamzat said that the Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration was convinced that an easy way to boost the Lagos economy was to invest in engineering, technology and innovation.
    According to him, the state government is aware that there is a skill deficiency in Africa, and the Sanwo-Olu’s administration is willing to close it with talents in Lagos.
    “Any responsible government will be alarmed by the number of youth unemployment and make sure it is a top priority.
    “This is why we are speaking with the private sector now on positioning Lagos as a technology talent pipeline for the world through training and job placement.
    “Our plan is to train 1,000 youths (working population) on how to code every year and produce entry and intermediate level skills set for the world to recruit from.
    “Lagos can reinvent itself; we can be the largest exporter of engineers and or technology.
    “We can be the largest software exporter in the world; we can as well be the largest health technology developer. We can do it, if we are all invested and proactive,” he said
    Hamzat, who was represented by Mr Radaq Ajala, Chairman, Odi-Olowo Local Council Development Area, Musin, lamented that globally, engineering appeared to be experiencing skills shortage.
    According to him, the type of engineering that students are studying does not always match the type of engineers required by specific countries.
    “There is a great deal of existing literature that questions the quality of engineering degrees from some universities, suggesting that graduates do not have the right skills and experience to secure engineering employment.
    “Many have highlighted the insufficient level of training for engineers in Africa which acts as a constraint on the advancement of engineering on the continent.
    “The shortages of engineers in different disciplines across the world highlights the importance of ensuring that the right talent and skills are available in the sector, ” he said.
    Mr Jamiu Ijaodola, Executive Director, Engineering Summit Africa, said the programme was organised to share ideas on how engineering could develop various sectors of the country’s economy.
    According to him, the engineering profession is a repository of knowledge, technology and experience of key economic importance and it is vital to ongoing economic growth and development.
  • Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, others to receive Certificates of Return March 27

    Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat, others to receive Certificates of Return March 27

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State, says it will on March 27 present Certificates of Return to the Lagos State Governor-elect, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat.

    Mr Sam Olumekun, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), said on Thursday that the lawmakers-elect of the Lagos State House of Assembly would also be given Certificates of Return the same day.

    “The presentation of certificate of return to elected candidates is in conformity with Section 75 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “The presentation ceremony will take place at INEC Lagos Office, 6, Birrel Avenue, Sabo-Yaba, at 11:00 am for the Governor-elect and his Deputy.

    “Meanwhile, that of the elected members of Lagos State House of Assembly will come up at 2:00pm,” Olumekun said in a statement.

    According to him, all invited guests are requested to be seated by 10:30am and 1:30pm respectively for the two ceremonies.

    The News Agency Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sanwo-Olu, of APC, polled 739,445 votes to defeat Jimi Agbaje of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 206,141 votes, and other contestants in the March 9 governorship election.

    INEC declared Sanwo-Olu winner of the poll on March 10.

    The commission will on Saturday hold a supplementary election in the Ibeju-Lekki State Constituency I where the state assembly election was declared inconclusive.

    Candidates of APC won in all the other 39 constituencies where state assembly elections are already concluded by the electoral umpire.