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Tag: Tinubu

  • Tinubu snubs NJC, FJSC, reportedly appoints Kogo as CCT boss

    Tinubu snubs NJC, FJSC, reportedly appoints Kogo as CCT boss

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly appointed Dr. Mainasara Umar Kogo as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    However, the appointment has sparked controversy as it was made without adherence to constitutional procedures involving the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

    According to a letter dated January 20, 2025, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, the appointment was backdated to November 27, 2024.

    This retroactive decision has raised questions about the transparency of the process and the government’s commitment to constitutional provisions.

    The Nigerian Constitution stipulates that the FJSC is tasked with nominating candidates for judicial appointments, while the NJC evaluates and recommends suitable individuals to the President for final approval. Reports suggest that neither body was consulted before Dr. Kogo’s appointment.

    Dr. Kogo’s appointment comes seven months after it was initially announced in July 2024 by former presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale. At the time, it was revealed that Kogo was being considered to replace Justice Danladi Umar, the substantive Chairman, even though Umar’s tenure had not yet expired.

    The National Assembly had previously initiated a contentious process to remove Justice Umar, citing age-related retirement concerns. This move escalated into a legal dispute, with the matter brought before Justice J.K. Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. In the case, President Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio were named as defendants.

    The appointment has reignited debates about the respect for constitutional order and the rule of law by government officials. Critics argue that bypassing the FJSC and NJC undermines the independence of the judiciary and sets a dangerous precedent.

    When contacted, Supreme Court spokesperson Festus Akande stated that he was unaware of any recent meetings involving the NJC or FJSC concerning the appointment. Akande, who is currently on annual leave, refrained from further comments on the matter.

    Observers have expressed concerns that the irregularities surrounding Kogo’s appointment could erode public confidence in the judicial system. Legal analysts stress the importance of adhering to due process, particularly for sensitive positions such as the Chairmanship of the CCT, which plays a critical role in upholding accountability in public office.

    The controversy underscores the need for greater transparency and adherence to constitutional protocols in the appointment of key public officials. Whether the courts or the legislature will take further action regarding this appointment remains to be seen.

  • Tinubu didn’t drag eminent Nigerians to Paris – Presidency

    Tinubu didn’t drag eminent Nigerians to Paris – Presidency

    The Presidency has described reports on social media about an arbitration proceeding in Paris to which the Nigerian Government is a party, as fake news.

    Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President, Information and Strategy, in a statement, said the private proceeding, which should not have been reported in the media, was entirely confidential.

    “While respecting the confidentiality of the proceedings, we wish to state categorically that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not forced anyone to testify for or to refrain from testifying against Nigeria.

    “All the eminent Nigerians involved in Nigeria’s defence are doing so willingly and out of sheer patriotism and conviction.

    “President Tinubu and the entire country are grateful to them,” concluded the statement.

  • UAE president to visit Nigeria

    UAE president to visit Nigeria

    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accepted President Bola Tinubu’s invitation to visit Nigeria this year.

    Tinibu invited him on Wednesday during their bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2025, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

    President Tinubu arrived in Abu Dhabi on Sunday as a guest of the UAE President to participate in the Sustainability Week.

    He delivered Nigeria’s position on climate and other challenges earlier on Wednesday and congratulated the UAE leader for the successful event.

    During the discussions, the Sheikh thanked Tinubu for accepting his invitation and expressed the UAE’s determination to strengthen economic cooperation between Nigeria and his country.

    The two leaders also explored attracting investment into Nigeria.

    President Tinubu said his government’s economic reforms were yielding fruits and called on the UAE to partner with Nigeria to develop the economy.

    He said the reforms had stabilised and grown the economy, encouraging foreign investors, including international oil companies, to announce billion-dollar investments, signalling renewed confidence in doing business with Africa’s most populous nation.

    President Tinubu thanked Al Nahyan for the warm reception he and his aides received since their arrival over the weekend.

  • Court dismisses suit challenging Tinubu’s appointments in NDDC

    Court dismisses suit challenging Tinubu’s appointments in NDDC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed a suit seeking to invalidate the appointments of the current managing director and executive directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Bola Tinubu.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, dismissed the suit on the ground that the plaintiffs lacked the legal right to institute the case.

    Justice Omotosho held that the proper party to initiate the case was the Attorney-General (A-G) of the states, being the chief law officers empowered to sue on behalf of the states or appoint a private lawyer to do so.

    “The plaintiffs have no right to litigate a matter of public interest where the Attorney-General is available and not complaining,” the judge said.

    He further held that the plaintiffs failed to prove their claims, adding that they ought to have shown the quantum of oil produced in each of the oil-producing states.

    The judge held that the plaintiffs also failed to provide evidence of the manner and status of appointments into NDDC management positions since the commission’s inception to substantiate their claims.

    “This is simply an assertion without proof. This court is handicapped in going to the merits of this case,” he said.

    Justice Omotosho consequently dismissed the suit.

    NAN reports that Hon. Ajoku Philip, Chief Jones Omereoha, and the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights International Foundation, who claimed to be acting on behalf of the oil-producing communities in Imo State and a few states, had filed the suit.

    The applicants sued the President of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the National Assembly and the NDDC in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1374/2023.

    They had urged the court to compel President Tinubu to withdraw the nominations of Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Mr Boma Iyaye, Mr Victor Antai, and Ifedayo Abegunde as Managing Director and Executive Directors of the NDDC respectively.

    They demanded that the president appoint indigenes of oil-producing communities from Imo, Cross River, and Edo, who they alleged had not previously held these positions, as mandated by Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act.

    The applicants argued that appointments to NDDC management positions over the years had allegedly favoured some oil-producing states over others, contravening relevant laws.

    They also prayed for a declaration that Sections 4 and 12(1) of the NDDC Establishment Act were compulsory in the appointment of the Commission’s Chairman, Managing Director, and Executive Directors, among other reliefs.

    But the NDDC, in its counter affidavit, disagreed with the applicants.

    It argued that Section 12(1) of the NDDC Act provides for “adequate representation,”  and this had always been observed in the commission’s appointments.

    It further argued that only the governors of oil-producing states could make such complaints, as they are recognised representatives of their citizens.

    The other defendants submitted that only state governors, through their A-Gs, are in a proper position to sue the NDDC over any alleged infractions.

  • Africa has what it takes to develop itself – President Tinubu

    Africa has what it takes to develop itself – President Tinubu

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu says that Africa has what it takes to develop itself and should look inward to improve intra-African trade in the interest of the people and the continent.

    The President said this on his official X account on Monday, adding that he had successful conversations with the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, on the eve of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2025).

    “We have the resources, the people and the capacity. We must look inward to improve intra-African trade and collaboration to benefit the African people and the continent.

    “The time for Africa is now. We can. We must. We will,” said Tinubu.

    The President departed Abuja on Jan. 11 to participate in the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

    Sheikh Mohamed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, invited President Tinubu to attend the Summit, which will take place in the Emirate from Jan. 12 to 18.

    The Summit is expected to bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress.

    The event titled, ‘The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ will enable policymakers, business, and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and evolve a new era of prosperity for all.

  • Borno invasion: Tinubu sad over slain soldiers, demands probe

    Borno invasion: Tinubu sad over slain soldiers, demands probe

    President Bola Tinubu on Thursday mourned the soldiers who were killed in an attack on an army base in Sabon Gida, Damboa, Borno State.

    Members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a pre-dawn attack in trucks and on motorcycles last Saturday on the base in Sabon Gari in Damboa area of Borno State.

    They set fire to the base along with army vehicles, military sources said, on condition of anonymity as they are not authorised to speak on the incident.

    Fighter jets deployed from the regional capital Maiduguri 100 kilometres (62 miles) away struck the attackers as they retreated.

    Tinubu in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, expressed his profound sympathy to the military authorities following the loss of six brave soldiers during a dawn terrorist attack on January 4.

    He ordered a “thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident and ensure that it serves as a valuable lesson to prevent similar occurrences.”

    “This resolute action by the Army demonstrates the capability and readiness of our military to confront and defeat threats to our nation’s security. Their actions testify to our resolve to eradicate terrorism and banditry, paving the way for a future where peace and security prevail for all Nigerians,” the President was quoted as saying.

    I extend heartfelt gratitude and sympathy to our military and security forces on behalf of a grateful nation.

    “Your sacrifices and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we stand firmly behind you in this ongoing fight to eliminate these threats.”

    The Commander-in-Chief also commended the armed forces for their swift and decisive response, particularly the air component, in launching effective retaliatory strikes.

    To Tinubu, the targeted air raids resulted in the significant neutralisation of numerous terrorists and the destruction of their assets as they attempted to flee.

    The President wants the military to proactively take the war to the camps of bandits and terrorists.

    He particularly emphasised the Northwest, where these criminals continue to threaten the lives and homes of innocent villagers.

    Tinubu called on Nigerians and the media to support the military’s efforts to restore peace and security in the nation.

  • Tinubu splits Nigerian college of aviation into six geo-political zones of Nigeria

    Tinubu splits Nigerian college of aviation into six geo-political zones of Nigeria

    President Tinubu has split the Nigerian College of Aviation, Zaria – Kaduna State into 6 campuses with 1 in each geopolitical zone of Nigeria.

    SEE THEIR LOCATIONS:

    1. Akure (Southwest);
    2. Osubi (South-South);
    3. Ebonyi (Southeast);
    4. Ilorin (North Central); and
    5. Yola (North-East).

  • Tinubu vows to complete PH-Maiduguri rail line

    Tinubu vows to complete PH-Maiduguri rail line

    President Bola Tinubu has said his administration is committed to completing the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri eastern rail line.

    Tinubu stated this in an interactive session with south-east leaders during his official visit to Enugu, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

    “It is a work in progress. I inherited some of these critical problems and am committed to solving them,” the President said.

    Tinubu expressed commitment to supporting the development of the Anambra basin, adding that that the basin can hold up to one billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas as an energy reserve for the country.

    He commended the state governor, Peter Mbah, for his development strides and reiterated the Federal Government’s resolve to support Enugu.

    “On the support of the gas infrastructure. Sure, gas is an alternative to petrol. There is no wasting of time than to invest more in it. We will do it together, and I am lucky I have good governors,” Tinubu said.

    “This is a profound demonstration of what we can do together. It reassures me that more revenue going to the sub-nationals and local government is not a waste. It is for development.

    “We have committed leaders like Peter Mbah taking Enugu on the path of 21st-century development, taking Enugu to greater heights, and building our tomorrow today,” Tinubu said.

    Mbah thanked the President for establishing the South-East Development Commission and deregulating the electricity sector.

    He said that his administration aims to grow Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four years, to position the state among Nigeria’s top three with the highest gross domestic product (GDP).

    “Your excellency, your credentials as a true federalist stand out brightly, and the legacies thereof will long earn you resounding accolades,” Mbah said.

    “It is noteworthy that Enugu state was the first sub-national to which the NERC ceded regulatory oversight of the local electricity market. That reflects how swiftly we are pursuing our goals.”

    Some of the projects inaugurated by the president include the smart green school, the New Haven/Bisalla road, the International Conference Centre, the Command and Control Centre, and 150 patrol vehicles equipped with surveillance cameras.

  • Tinubu promises to set up National Credit Guarantee Company by 2nd quarter of 2025

    Tinubu promises to set up National Credit Guarantee Company by 2nd quarter of 2025

    The federal government will establish the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand risk-sharing instruments for financial institutions and enterprises by second quarter of 2025.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports this was contained in President Tinubu’s new year message to Nigerians.

    He explained that: “The Company—expected to start operations before the end of the second quarter—is a partnership of government institutions, such as the Bank of Industry, Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated, the private sector, and multilateral institutions.

    “This initiative will strengthen the confidence of the financial system, expand credit access, and support under-served groups such as women and youth.

    ” It will drive growth, re-industrialisation, and better living standards for our people.

    “We will continue to embark on necessary reforms to foster sustainable growth and prosperity for our nation.

    “I seek your cooperation and collaboration at all times as we pursue our goal of a one trillion-dollar economy. Let us stay focused and united.

  • 2025: Akpabio Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima, Kekere-Ekun

    2025: Akpabio Congratulates Tinubu, Shettima, Kekere-Ekun

    President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has wished President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, members of the National Assembly and Officers and Men of the Armed Forces, a happy and prosperous New Year.

     

    The Senate President,in a New Year message personally signed by him felicitates with Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora for being living witnesses to another year that holds the promise of growth and opportunities, while commiserating with those who lost their loved ones last year, he also prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.

     

    “As the Chairman of the National Assembly, I thank my colleagues in the National Assembly for their patriotic support for the President Tinubu-led administration, assuring that Nigerians will begin to enjoy the yield of the various reforms of the current administration in 2025

     

    “I congratulate our President, his vice, the Chief Justice, my colleagues in the National Assembly, the Armed Forces and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora for witnessing another year of progress and prosperity regardless of the myriad of problems we collectively encountered.

     

    “From the various reforms put in place by the current administration, especially the proposed tax reforms, I can assure Nigerians that we will begin to enjoy sustainable dividends of democracy in this New Year.

     

    “Let us begin to look into the New Year 2025, with hope and optimism and with togetherness this country can achieve greatness. As we bid farewell to the year 2024 and welcome a new dawn in 2025, I extend my warm felicitations to you all. May the strength in our diversities resonate with peace, progress and growth in the new year.

    “As we reflect on the past year, let us acknowledge the progress we’ve made and the challenges we’ve overcome. As your President of the Senate, I pledge to continue working tirelessly to promote the welfare and prosperity of all Nigerians.

     

    “We will strive to legislate, oversight, and represent the interests of our constituents with dedication, integrity and transparency.

     

    “On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and the Senate, I wish you all a happy and prosperous new year 2025.”