The 2019 Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Sokoto has ordered the 2nd and 3rd Respondents, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to present all their witnesses in Court on Wednesday, July 31, 2019.
The tribunal’s decision was reached at its sitting Tuesday and was sequel to an application for adjournment to July 31, 2019, by the Lead Counsel of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Barrister Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.
The adjournment was sought by Ukala to enable him to continue with the presentation of his witnesses, just after presenting three weak witnesses on subpoena.
However, the 2nd and 3rd Respondents had earlier at the pre-hearing proceedings of the Tribunal told the Court that they have 42 and 33 witnesses respectively to present before the tribunal.
Penultimate week, the 1st Respondent, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had failed to present the twelve witnesses it earlier claimed to have.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice Abdullahi Bawale, had vehemently objected to Ukala’s application for adjournment, insisting that, the 2nd Respondent must present all his witnesses to the Court Wednesday.
The Lead Counsel for the 3rd Respondent, Aare Akinmuyiwa Akinboro, SAN, could not present any witness as ordered by the Tribunal.
He said, “we were just waiting to see where the 2nd Respondent would stop, then we take from there.”
The Lead Counsel for the Petitioners, Dr Alex Izinyon , SAN, had also strongly objected to the application for an adjournment by the 2nd Respondent.
Ukala had earlier tendered some documents to the Tribunal, from the Bar and they were admitted as “Identifications -IDs,” by the Court.
Izinyon also objected to the development, saying, “we object to doing this, although we reserve our objection.”
They include the results for Labe-Labe Primary School Polling Unit, Bashire / Maikada ward, in Tambuwal Local Government, Randa-Randa Polling Unit, Fura Girke ward, Tureta Local Government and Shiyyar Noma polling unit, Shinaka ward of Goronyo Local Government.
The Court, however, ordered that photocopies of the documents be made in the Court, while the originals should be returned to INEC, for the safety of the documents, as prayed by Alhassan Umar, Counsel to the 1st Respondent, INEC.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Alhaji Abubakar Sadeeq Musa, represented by an Administrative Officer, Bashir Ahmed Tahir, had earlier been subpoenaed by the Tribunal, where he tendered some documents before the Tribunal.
The documents include Forms EC8 A and Forms EC8 B from some polling units in Tambuwal, Goronyo, Tureta and Wurno Local Governments.
They were the original results sheets and the summary of the same polling units.
Tag: Wednesday
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JUST IN: Tribunal orders Tambuwal, PDP to present all witnesses Wednesday
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Senate to commence screening of Buhari's ministerial nominees Wednesday – Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan has said that the screening and confirmation of the nominees would begin on Wednesday.
He added that other legislative activities in the chamber would take back seat to ensure the speedy completion of the important assignment.
Lawan said this after reeling out the list on the floor of the upper legislative chamber of the national assembly on Tuesday.
“The screening of the ministerial nominees will commence tomorrow morning,” he said.
“All other legislative activities will take back stage for this very important national assignment.”
President Muhammadu Buhari sent 43 ministerial nominees for confirmation.
Some of those who made it back are Rotimi Amaechi, ex-minister of transportation; Mohammed Bello, ex-minister of federal capital territory (FCT); and Chris Ngige; ex-minister of labour and employment; and Abubakar Malami, minister of justice among others. -
JUST IN: Senate to screen Justice Tanko Muhammad as CJN Wednesday
The Senate has resolved to screen the nomination of Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Tanko Mohammad on Wednesday.
Justice Muhammad will be screened by a committee of the whole Senate. The decision to screen the nominee was taken after a voice vote called by the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmed Lawan.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had last week, forwarded Justice Tanko’s name to the Senate for confirmation, in accordance with Section 23(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
President Buhari forwarded Justice Mohammad’s name for confirmation based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC). -
FG declares Wednesday public holiday
The Federal Government on Monday declared Wednesday, June 12, as a public holiday, to commemorate the nation’s National Democracy Day.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by Mr Mohammed Manga, Director Press & Public Relations, of the ministry, on Monday in Abuja.
The Federal Government’s decision followed the enactment into law of June 12 as Democracy Day annually in Nigeria.
Ehuriah congratulated all Nigerians at home and abroad for the entrenchment of democratic rule in the country.
The permanent secretary called on Nigerians to continue to cherish the sacrifice made by heroes of democracy in the country.
She emphasised that those who lost their lives in the struggle for the actualisation of Democratic Governance in Nigeria in order to make the country a better place for all, must not be forgotten.
Ehuriah further called for the collaboration and cooperation of all Nigerians with President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration towards achieving the nation’s collective aspiration for unity, peace and socio-economic development.
She wished all Nigerians, at home and abroad, a happy democracy day celebration.
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Workers’ Day: FG declares Wednesday public holiday
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 1, as public holiday to celebrate the 2019 Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Lt.- Gen. (Rted) Abdulrahman Dambazau, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated Nigerian workers on their commitment and sacrifice toward building a greater Nigeria.
Dambazau made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mrs Georgina Ehuriah, Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
He commended workers’ effort at ensuring the full implementation of the policies and programmes of government through efficient and effective service delivery to Nigerians and foreigners.
Dambazau called for continuous support of Nigerian workers in government’s effort at re-positioning the economy and moving it to the Next Level.
He also commended them for keeping faith with the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s resolve of building a better Nigeria.
The Minister wishes all Nigerian workers a successful May Day Celebration.
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Ambode puts Lagosians on high alert as Buhari visits Wednesday
The Lagos State Government says preparations are in top gear to host President Muhammadu Buhari on his official visit to the state on Wednesday.
This was announced in a statement issued by the state Ministry of Information and Strategy on Tuesday in Lagos.
It said that during the one-day working visit, a number of state projects would be commissioned by the President.
“The projects to be commissioned include the rehabilitated 10-lane Oshodi/Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road, and the 170-Bed ‘Ayinke House’ (Maternity Hospital) at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja.
“Other projects to be commissioned include the Lagos State Theatre at Oregun in Ikeja, new 820 Mass Transit buses and the multi-level Oshodi Transport Interchange on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
“`The Presidential visit would hold between 9.00 a. m. and 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, during which traffic on some routes will be diverted in order to ensure a free flow of traffic,’’ it said.
According to the statement, the routes to be affected by traffic control include the Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way (coming from the Presidential wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport to LASUTH under bridge); Kodesoh Road; Obafemi Awolowo Way; Kudirat Abiola Way and Ikorodu Road (between the Ojota Intersection and Anthony Interchange).
Other routes are the Oworonshoki-Apapa Expressway (between Anthony and Oshodi Transport Interchange) and the International Airport road through the Local Wing of the airport to Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way and back to the Obafemi Awolowo Way.
“Roads highlighted above shall only be cordoned-off when necessary, Obafemi Awolowo Way and portions of Mobolaji Bank-Anthony shall be closed to traffic on three occasions within the specified period, as they are central to the President’s itinerary,’’ it said.
The statement, therefore, advised motorists to avoid the above-listed roads where necessary and make use of alternative routes of their choice.
It advised that where motorists find it unavoidable plying the afore-mentioned roads, patience and cooperation with traffic managers should be their watchwords.
It solicited for the support of motorists and commuters for all inconveniences as a result of the diversions, saying that traffic managers, enforcement and security agents will be positioned at all strategic intersections to allow orderly vehicular movements.
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Soldiers’ killing: Buhari cancels Edo visit for Borno on Wednesday
Sequel to the recent killings of some soldiers by Boko Haram insurgents, President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his scheduled trip to Edo State to visit Borno State on Wednesday.
This was revealed on Monday by the President’s Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, said on Twitter.
He wrote, “President Muhammadu Buhari has cancelled his planned official visit to Benin, Edo State tomorrow, to visit Maiduguri, Borno State on Wednesday.”
Buhari’s main challenger, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, as well as another Presidential candidate, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili, had launched severe criticisms against Buhari over the killing of scores of soldiers in Borno State.
The Presidency and the military had refused to speak on the matter several days after the incident.
Atiku had accused the President of neglecting the military and had even dedicated his birthday to the memory of the slain soldiers.
The All Progressives Congress had, however, accused the former Vice-President of exploiting the situation, accusing him of hypocrisy.
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2019: Kwankwaso shuns Kano, to declare presidential ambition in Abuja on Wednesday
Senator representing Kano State Central Senatorial District and presidential hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party platform has revealed that he will formally declare his presidential ambition in Abuja and not in his state (Kano) contrary to public expectation.
Kwankwaso who currently is at loggerheads with his predecessor and longtime political associate, Abdullahi Ganduje, announced Wednesday as the day he will declare his 2019 presidential ambition.
The announcement was contained in a statement by Kwankwaso’s Presidential Campaign Committee on Sunday.
The declaration, according to the statement, would hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja, by 11 a.m.
Confirming the development on Monday, Kwankwaso’s spokesperson, Binta Sipikin, said Abuja is the nation’s capital and many of Kwankwaso’s political associates and supporters from across the country would be attending the event, hence the choice of Abuja.
She said it is not a Kano event, and it will be more convenient for people to come from any part of the country to the nation’s capital.
“He is declaring in Abuja because it is the nation’s capital, and this is a national event,” she said.
“We are considering people from various parts of the country who may want to come, but could find a meeting in Abuja easier than in Kano.”
Recall that Kwankwaso and Ganduje were political allies with the latter serving as deputy governor when Kwankwaso was the state governor.
They have since parted ways with Kwankwaso leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he left in 2014 as part moves to achieve his presidential ambition.
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Eid-el-Kabir: FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holidays
The federal government has declared Tuesday, August 21, and Wednesday, August 22 as public holidays to celebrate the 2018 Eid-el-Kabir.
The Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau, made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja in a statement issued by Mohammed Umar, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
While wishing Nigerians a happy Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Mr Dambazau, a retired lieutenant general, enjoined the citizens to use the period to embrace the virtues of love and sacrifice for the unity and development of the country.
He urged Nigerians both at home and abroad to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in its determination to foster a peaceful and united Nigeria.
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Reps receive 2018 Budget report, to be passed Wednesday
The House of Representatives on Tuesday said the 2018 Appropriation Bill of N9.12 trillion would be passed on Wednesday.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Yussuff Lasun, who presided at plenary, made this known after the budget report was presented by the Chairman, Committee on Appropriation, Rep. Mustapha Dawaki.
The N9.12 trillion-Budget is N410 billion higher than N8.61 trillion appropriated in 2017.
Lasun advised members to pick copies of the budget from the appropriation committee as the House was likely to pass the budget on Wednesday.
Controversy had trailed the delay in the passage of the bill, with the National Assembly, accusing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of failing to defend their budget proposals.
The delay had prompted President Muhammadu Buhari to issue a deadline to heads of all MDAs to defend their budgets unfailingly.
A breakdown of the budget indicates that N530.4 billion is for statutory transfer, N2.20 trillion for debt service and N199 billion for sinking fund for maturing loans.
Also, N3.51 trillion is allocated to recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, while N2.87 trillion is earmarked for development fund for capital expenditure.