₦airaland Forum

Nigeria needs Atiku to make Life more meaningful- Tinubu ...Atiku should be President of Nigeria

Three years ago, the former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the ruling APC, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, revealed that, Nigerians needs the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, in order to make life more meaningful for the people.

In a letter signed by Asiwaju Tinubu on the occasion of the PDP Presidential Candidate’s 70th birthday, the APC leader said ...”I write to felicitate with you on the attainment of the proverbial age of three scores and ten, 70. Your life has been a life of service to your people, your country and the causes you believe in. Nigeria has been well-served by your stewardship and leadership.”

Tinubu went further to say...“Do not relent because Nigeria needs you and others like you to continue to make life more meaningful. We must continue to explore common grounds towards promoting the common good.

Tinubu described Atiku Abubakar as a man with so much passion for education. He said that Atiku’s passion for education has seen him investing his time and resources in education, knowing fully well that when you educate the people, you educate a nation.

Atiku Should be President of Nigeria

This endorsement by the National Leader of APC is another confirmation that, the PDP Candidate is a fit and proper person with all the capacity to be President of Nigeria.

Asiwaju Tinubu like all Nigerians, gave their support and voted massively for the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the February 23, 2019 Presidential Election.

Let’s all work together to reclaim the stolen mandate of the PDP and it’s Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

It looks like Oraye St. Franklyn Esq. has settled into his new job as Spokesman for Mrs. Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs and has as of 18th October, 2019, published a response to the Graphic Online report on Mrs. Lulu-Briggs’ challenge of the Order for an Inquest granted by the Kaneshie Magistrates Court. The said response is however fraught with presumptions and inaccuracies, and is unfortunate to say the least because the whole article was about putting out facts.

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Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs

First of all he “presumes” that https://www.graphic.com.gh/, the online portal for Ghana’s national newspaper is a “Ghanaian online tabloid”, and this is disrespectful to the Ghanaian media, which he obviously has little regard for. Also, he seems to think that an autopsy is the only basis for an inquest into the suspicious death of a person under the Coroners Act, 1960 (Act 18) and goes to great lengths to conclude that the autopsy was conclusive on the cause of death of a High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, when there has not been an inquest as legally required, to determine the cause of death.

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Mrs Seinye Briggs

Secondly, he says that the Kaneshie District Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to order an inquest on the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs because matter is before a High Court in Ghana. The Coroner’s inquest is within the exclusive jurisdiction of the District Magistrate court as conferred by Act 18 and no other higher court for that matter. Oraye St. Franklyn Esq has obviously not apprised himself of the contents of Act 18 and yet speaks about it as if he was so knowledgeable, which is again unfortunate.

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Oraye Saint Franklin

Thirdly, the matter in the High Court in Ghana is NOT an inquest into the cause of death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. It is a matter concerning the rightful person to take the mortal remains of the High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs for burial. In the said case before the High Court, commenced by Mrs. Lulu-Briggs, she is claiming that the mortal remains of her husband should be given to her, which assertion is contrary to the customs and tradition of the people of the Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Nigeria. She has further filed a motion for injunction to restrain anyone, particularly the Chief of the Family, from taking the mortal remains of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs for burial apart from her. It is these court cases instituted by Mrs. Lulu-Briggs that have delayed the burial of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. Inspite, of her actions, her recently appointed Spokesman maintains that “The accusation that she …. is unwilling to release it [the body of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs] for interment is untrue.” Interestingly, Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs has further challenged the constitutionality (compliance with the Ghanaian Constitution) of the said customs and tradition of the people of Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State, Nigeria in the Supreme Court of Ghana, much to the chagrin of the Kalabari people.

Fourthly, Oraye St. Franklyn Esq. published information about the conduct of the autopsy, which are manifestly false. He said that the “other two pathologists were from the Ghanaian Police”, when it is trite knowledge that the Ghana Police Pathologist, Dr. Osei Owusu-Afriyie and the Nigerian Police Pathologist were denied access to the autopsy theatre by Dr. Lawrence Adusei. And were not present at the autopsy. Also, there was no “Ghanaian Prof. Akosua B. Domfeh of the Yale University School of Medicine” present at the autopsy as Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs’ second pathologist. Perhaps, Oraye St. Franklyn Esq. has not had the chance to get a proper briefing from his client or read about this matter, before penning the publication which he has put out in the Nigerian media. Or perhaps this is all deliberate.

The major issue arising out of the publication is the erroneous suggestion that the Order for an Inquest granted by Her Worship Mrs. Mrs E.K. Barnes-Botchway is a predetermination of the cause of death of the High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, when the Order only signifies the commencement of the enquiry into the cause of the death. Perhaps a little refresher on the legal requirements for an inquest is necessary for Oraye St. Franklyn Esq., who is himself a lawyer. The learned judge ordered that the autopsy report be submitted to her so that she can, along with other circumstantial evidence which had been presented to her by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs in his Affidavit, determine the proper cause of death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. The determination by the learned judge that the deceased had died an unnatural death is only a preliminary determination, much like determining that a prima facie case had been established, for the inquest to commence. The, learned judge is about to start the conduct an evidentiary hearing in the matter to settle the issue of the cause of death. It unclear at this moment, why the Order for the Inquest has cause such fear and panic to Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs.

Curiously, the publication refers to a preliminary report on the autopsy. This report has however not been shared with the Ghana Police, the court or the family of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, and seems to be in the bosom of Mrs. Lulu-Briggs. Or perhaps, she is the author of the said preliminary report on the autopsy, same as she authored the purported Will of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs.

What is even more curious is that the widow of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, who was one of ten persons on the fatal and last journey of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, is the only person who seems to have a problem with the enquiry into the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. The rest of the persons have been silent, perhaps because they have nothing to hide. One would think that the widow would embrace the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing in the matter, so that she can be possibly vindicated and the matter can be laid to rest, once for all time, but alas not. Her actions since her husband died, have defied all reason, and have formed the basis for the request for an inquest into the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. There are abundant contradictions in the various statements she has made to the family of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, the Nigerian Police, and in documents filed in the Ghanaian courts. She has left no doubt in the minds of right thinking members of society that there are questions to be answered regarding the circumstances and death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, and those questions can only be answered by law, in a Coroners Inquest. Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs deprived the family of her deceased husband the right to know the true circumstances of his death in December 2018, when he died and she continues, almost a year after his death, to fight every rightful attempt by the family led by the Chief of the Family, to look into the matter, including alleging bias against 2 honourable members of the Ghanaian judiciary. She continues to also hold the mortal remains of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs hostage with her various applications to the courts of Ghana, currently numbering five (5), which have denied the Chief of the Family the right to set a date for the laying to rest of the mortal remains of their dear patriarch, at his hometown.

It looks like the events leading to the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs on that fateful December day, have caught up with people involved. The report of the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, which was required to be made by the widow, to the Ghana Police on the death of her husband outside of a medical facility, and which report was not made because Mrs Lulu-Briggs feared that an inquest would be made into his death, has been eventually made by the Ghana Police to the Coroner, after 6 months of the occurrence of the death. Finally the true circumstances surrounding the death of High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs will be known, in order that his family can get some closure. Perhaps, High Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs, who was himself a defender of the rights of persons, and the Christian faith while he was alive, is fighting his own killers, even after his death.
Oraye St. Franklyn Esq, in his frenzy and zeal to please his new boss , wrote all manner of lies against the Ghana Coroners Court through the respected Nigerian newspaper Guardian Nigeria newspapers https://guardian.ng/news/why-i-am-against-court-inquest-order-on-my-late-husband-seinye-lulu-briggs/

Beremx:
I remember his moderating days on nairaland where he do posts boring topics and nairaland members complained. He was a moderator for a little while before Lalasticlala came on board.

Rest in peace dear. My condolences to your family.

Barcanista, I sight you on white shirt.

Sis Berem, thanks o.


Where you de?

October 19, 2019

Press Statement

Achuba: Governor Bello Now Desperate, Clinging on Straws – PDP
…Says His Days In Office Are Numbered

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mocks Kogi state Governor Yahaya Bello over his desperate bid to use underhand measures to forcefully remove the Deputy Governor, Hon. Simeon Achuba, saying the governor is now clinging on straws.

Our party holds that by coercing the state House of Assembly against the deputy governor even when the State Judiciary Panel acquitted him of all allegations, Governor Bello only confirms that he has lost public trust and now desperately resorting to dirty politics and crafty methods for survival.

This action of trying to remove the deputy governor via unconstitutional methods and in total disregard to the verdict of the judicial panel is, in itself, a gross misconduct and grave constitutional violation for which the state assembly, as an institution, ought to have removed Yahaya Bello as the governor of the state.

The PDP however alerts that the next victim of such underhand methods would be the state assembly itself, which now appears to be on the way to being used to enact draconian rules to suppress and intimidate the people of Kogi state, since there is no way Yahaya Bello will win the November 16 election and return to office.

It is however instructive to state that the action of the House of Assembly, in yielding to Yahaya Bello’s antics, has further reduced Kogi state to a butt of jokes among compatriots in other states of our federation.

What it means is that Yahaya Bello can wake up tomorrow morning and shut down institutions of government, including the state legislature, the judiciary and even the civil service and become a law unto himself.

However, whether the State House of Assembly has any morsel of courage left in its chamber to protect the state and her people or not, Governor Bello will surely face the judgment of the people on November 16, where he will be kicked out of office through the ballot box.

It is also public knowledge that Yahaya Bello seeks to repress the deputy governor over the latter’s decision to expose the impunity and corruption in the Bello administration which has brought so much suffering to the people of Kogi state in the last four years.

What Nigerians expect is for Governor Bello to respond to the allegations by the deputy governor instead of this resort to bullying and attempts to remove him through unconstitutional method; a scheme that cannot stand.

Our apprehension is that Governor Bello, in his desperation to cling unto power, even when he has been rejected by the people, is now turning Kogi state into a state of “anything goes.” We therefore call on all compatriots to condemn and resist the reprehensible actions of Governor Yahaya Bello.

Nigeria is a nation governed by law and no body, no matter the desperation, should be allowed to turn her, or any part thereof, to a Banana Republic.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

RIP Stanley

Re:https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/10/18/seinye-lulu-briggs-media-trial-facts-vs-fiction/ by Mr Oraye St.Franklyne
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One can only laugh at the level of amusement caused by the writers imagination and belief that he can twist facts of a simple matter as to mystery surrounding the demise of High Chief Olu-Benson Lulu-Briggs who was reported dead in December 2018 on Ghanaian soil as claimed by the deceased’s wife Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs.

Mr Oraye St.Franklyne who has been recently hired by Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs to do the dirty job of misinforming the public and paint High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs as the person stopping the burial of his late father in his imaginative fictional write up said thus; “ The Ghanaian Police carried out the said order and has conducted an autopsy. The preliminary report of that autopsy was that the deceased was not murdered but died of Cardiac Arrest.

However, the full Autopsy report including the Toxicology report is being awaited.”
It is indeed amusing that same Ghanaian Police he claims had already carried out the order for an autopsy is the same Ghanaian Police who wrote to the Coroners Court in Ghana asking for inquest into the death of the deceased High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs.
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If that is the true position of things then why is his principal Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs doing everything within her powers to stop the coroners inquest into the death of her husband if she has nothing to hide? https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/lulu-briggs-widow-moves-to-stop-inquest-into-husband-s-death.html


See attached a copy of the order from the coroners court which debunks the lies being peddled by Mr Oraye St.Franklyne on behalf of his principal .

On the order of the Coroners court in Ghana, the court ordered thus;
1: An inquest should be conducted on the death of the deceased , Chief Olu Benson Lulu Briggs because I ordered for an autopsy to be undertaken on the deceased following an application by the Ghana Police Service (C.I.D Headquarters).

The report is yet to be submitted since July 2019. With this additional information to the one that forms the basis of the Police application, I have reasonable cause to believe that the deceased did not die a natural death and I therefore deem an inquest necessary and accordingly order for one to be done.

The Ghana Police Service (C.I.D ) is ordered to make available to this court all processes and documents in their custody including the autopsy report.

Given this simple order, one is forced to ask, “WHAT IS SEINYE LULU-BRIGGS AFRAID OF?”
If the Ghanaian Police as Mr Oraye St. Franklyne claimed in his fictional story, carried out an autopsy, why is the report not before the Coroners Court since July 2019 till date ?

Facts of the matter:

Mrs Seinye Lulu- Briggs is no doubt the wife of the deceased and rightly so too. That is not inn contention. However, one is also forced to ask some questions given the circumstances and facts gathered by the Nigerian Police Force and the Ghana Police Service and the InterPol .
Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs claims she and her husband, now deceased were travelling for holiday to Ghana and they hired a chartered plane from Port Harcourt International Airport. She also claims that same pilot/Captain of the chartered flight who had permit/authorization to land in Nigerian airport suddenly had no permit to land in Ghana Airport? To the point that the pilot had to depend on his passenger to get a landing permit for him from Ghana and kept the deceased on board the aircraft for upwards of 5 hours and 30 minutes before take-off?


Why did the pilot/captain of the aircraft, refer to the deceased as “cargo” instead of passenger when he asked his other passenger Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs of she could get a cargo landing permit for him to be able to land with a “cargo” in Ghana airport? Could it be that the High Chief was already dead on board? Is that what Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs is afraid of that it may be found out?

Upon landing, the deceased was wheeled to the airport clinic where she Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs, reported him as being unconscious. Doctors on ground to receive them, checked for vital signs but could not find any and reported that the body had already set into Rigor Mortis. So, what really happened between taking off in Nigeria and landing in Accra airport?

Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs as custom requires anywhere in the world, upon demise of her husband has no business whatsoever in the planning of his burial without the family. As it is clear even in the marriage act, that at the point of departure, the mortal remains are released to the family of the deceased and the first son is referred to as the “Chief Mourner”. The woman is only to see the remains of her husband on the day of the burial and not before. But it is surprising that Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs has gone ahead since January 2019 and filed an application before a Ghana Court asking that the remains of her husband be not released to the family of the deceased. She filed this application and is the same person through Mr Oraye St. Franklyne, is claiming that High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs is the one stopping her from burying her late husband. How? The deceased has grown children who are not less than 50 years old and can make decisions and plan the burial of their late father comfortably. So, the question yet again remains; WHAT IS MRS SEINYE LULU – BRIGGS AFRAID OF?

Between January and October 2019, Mrs seinye Lulu-Briggs has occupied herself with converting the assets of the deceased to her name and names of her children, but that is not even a problem to the family. All the family is interested in is for her to withdraw her application before the court and allow the mortal remains of the deceased to be handed over to the family so they can go ahead with plans to bury their brother and father and grandfather. Nothing more.

A date was set for a ruling by a vacation judge in Ghana High Court for September 6, 2019 and on the set date, Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs goes to an appeal court and appeals that the matter be assigned to another judge and took a date for hearing for November 12 as date from the court in Ghana. Why all the rigmarole? All these actions of hers points to only one thing; Seinye Lulu-Briggs is hiding something concerning the suspicious death of High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs.

It is clear that High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs is not accusing Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs of anything yet but as the popular saying goes, “the evil doer runneth when no one pursueth”. Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs has gone to all possible media houses and claiming that she is being accused of murdering her own husband whereas there has been no such accusation made anywhere by any member of the Lulu-Briggs family. All the family has been asking Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs till date is to release the remains of their son, brother, father and grandfather to the family so they can plan a proper burial for him as the customs requires in Kalabari kingdom.

Rather than resorting to cheap blackmail via spokespersons like Mr Oraye St. Franklyne, Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs should respect the memory of the man she called her loving husband and stop bringing his mortal remains to public ridicule because she wants to hide something.

Also it is important to note that contrary to claims by Mrs Seinye Lulu Briggs inone of her applications before a Ghana High Court, that the deceased and his children are estranged since 2004, there are proof that at no time did the deceased or any of his children become estranged except in the imaginary mind of Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs.

Mrs Seinye Lulu-Briggs, instead of employing these feeble tactics and purchasing of yeomen to spin tales on her behalf, should respect customs and traditions and respect the memory of her late husband and release the mortal remains to the family so the man can finally rest in peace.
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Presidential Election Petition Appeal: APC, Buhari, waged war on the Judiciary…attempting to subvert the will of the people. We must #RescueNigeria

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed and his colleagues at the Supreme Court are currently under tremendous pressure by the APC led administration on who to select as members of the seven (7) man Appeal Panel to hear the appeal of the PDP and Atiku/Obi.

It has been revealed that the Presidency cabal, working in cohorts with some stakeholders of the ruling Party, are pressurizing CJN Tanko Mohammed to appoint some select judges as members of the appeal panel, as against laid down tradition/convention of the supreme court.

Information reaching us is to the effect that, the cabal has submitted list of some select pliable judges of the Supreme Court to the CJN, and mounting pressure on him to present same as members of the panel.

*Important Information:*

It is important to note here that; the first most senior judges of the Supreme court are the ones that made the list in most Presidential Appeal Panels. This has been the tradition of the Supreme Court from 1979 till the appeal filed by President Muhammadu Buhari after the Presidential Election in 2011.

The current first seven (7) most senior judges of the Supreme court are as follows: CJN Tanko Mohammed, Justice Rhode Vivour, Justice Mary Odili, Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Justice Musa Muhammad and Justice Kumai Akaahs.

This blatant resort to muscling other arms of government as seen in this APC led administration is completely unacceptable. This is part of the efforts by the national leader of the APC to subvert the will of the people, destroy our hard earned democracy and throw Nigeria into a state of anarchy.

We therefore appeal to all Nigerians and the international community to watch with keen interest this obvious castration of our common patrimony by the Buhari led APC government. This must stop before it is too late.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

October 17, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Tasks Buhari Presidency On Profligacy,
…Demands Explanation On Funding of First Lady’s Office

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenges President Muhammadu Buhari to lead by example by ending the profligacy that pervades his Presidency in order to give validity to his directives to ministers and other functionaries.

In the same vein, the PDP tasks the Buhari Presidency to explain the basis and source of Presidential support for the Office of the First Lady, including the appointment of aides, contrary to his promise not to run that office

The PDP holds that Mr. President remains responsible and answerable for his presidential assurances and Nigerians expect an explanation on the violation of such sensitive undertaking.

While the PDP is still monitoring the implementation of directive to government functionaries on cost cut, the party tasks President Buhari to take the first step by immediately fulfilling his promise to reduce the Presidential fleet, as well as cut his over bloated entourages and curtail the opulent lifestyle in the Presidency, which is daily flaunted before suffering and impoverished Nigerians.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has proven to be extremely expensive and a major draining pipe for valuable resources, while millions of compatriots, who look up to government for solutions, wallow in hunger and acute poverty.

The profligacy that permeates the Buhari Presidency had further manifested in the public fight between the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, and President Buhari’s nephews over issues of opulent accommodation in our presidential villa.

The party further urges Nigerians to note that the Buhari Presidency has failed to make the details of its budget public, despite demands by our party and other well-meaning groups in Nigeria.

The failure to make the details of the Presidency budget public places a huge burden on the Buhari Presidency, particularly in the face of allegations of budgetary corruption and financial sleazes.

Unless the Presidency budget is made public for Nigerians to see, any directive on cost cut remains cosmetic.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary.

October 17, 2019

Press Statement

Onitsha Market Fire: PDP Mourns, Condole With Victims

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shocked by the devastating petrol tanker fire outbreak in Onitsha, Anambra state, describing the incident as heartbreaking and traumatizing.

The PDP is deeply saddened by the tragic occurrence particularly, the painful death of our compatriots, including the mother and child, who lost their lives in the inferno that also razed houses, shops and other valuables.

Indeed, our party mourns. Our hearts ache as our prayers go out to the victims and the families of the deceased, who are now in anguish over their excruciating losses.

Our party commiserates with the government and people of Anambra state and prays for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

The PDP also urges public-spirited individuals and organization to support the government in finding succour for the victims over their losses.

The PDP however called for an investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the accident as well as the circumstances that may have frustrated timely intervention in the tragedy. This is primarily to ensure that measures are put in place to forestall a reoccurrence, as the safety and wellbeing of all Nigerians remain paramount to our party.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

October 16, 2019

Press Statement

N5000 For National ID: PDP Asks Buhari To Rescind Decision Now.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) totally rejects the repressive decision of the President Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government to further squeeze Nigerians by imposing a N5000 fee for national identity cards.

The party says the very idea of ID Card fee by the Buhari administration is insupportable, reprehensible and completely offensive to the sensibilities of Nigerians as free citizens.

The PDP stresses that imposing such unwarranted and unjustified levy on Nigerians, for internal social safety instrument, amounts to wicked fleecing as well as stripping of their constitutional rights in their own nation.

Our party holds that issuance of national identity card to citizens, as an obligation of the state to its citizenry, must remain free as established by the PDP. The N5000 levy must be immediately rescinded before it triggers restiveness in the nation.

Already, the fee is generating tension in the country as Nigerians have continued to register their rejection in the public space.

The PDP notes the increasing penchant of the APC administration to impose all sorts of taxes on suffering Nigerians. Only recently, the Buhari-led APC administration increased the Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods and services from 5 percent to 7.5 percent. This is in addition to increase in tariffs for electricity and other services as well as the obnoxious decision to return the tollgates on our major highways.

Our party cautions that such impositions breed resentment and erode the much-desired patriotism; leading to the escalation of social vices and low commitment to nation building by citizens.

The PDP therefore charges President Buhari to direct the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to immediately cancel its decision to levy Nigerians for national identity cards.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

#BuhariHypocrisy Weeks after the President Buhari led FG says they were not going to refund monies to states for road repairs, the same government is seeking @NGRSenate approval to refund N10.1 Billion to Kogi state because of upcoming Guber election. We must #RescueNigeria

#BuhariHypocrisy @MBuhari led FG seeks @NGRSenate approval to refund N10.1 Billion to Kogi for some phantom projects weeks before election. This is the highest level of corruption. @MBuhari should pay other @OfficialPDPNig states for jobs done if he is sincere. We must #RescueNigeria

October 15, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Urges NASS To Channel N10billion Presidential Fund to Kogi Workers
…. Insists Gov Bello Should Face Probe Over Squandered N700bn

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urges the National Assembly to invoke its statutory powers and directly channel the N10.069 billion Presidential funds for payment of salaries and pensions of suffering Kogi state workers.

The PDP says it is scandalous that the Buhari Presidency, with its claims of transparency and integrity, would seek to mislead the National Assembly by asserting that the fund is for projects done by the state government on behalf of the Federal Government, when in reality no one can point to any such project executed by Governor Yahaya Bello in the last four years.

The PDP describes as endorsement of corruption and inexcusable injury to the people of Kogi state, for President Muhammadu Buhari to seek to direct funds to Governor Yahaya Bello, for phantom projects, and neglect the Kogi workers many of whom are owed salaries and pension in arrears of 36 months.

Such action by Mr. President further confirms that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is directly in league with Governor Yahaya Bello to strangulate the people of Kogi state.

The PDP holds that if there are no intensions of pushing the fund to Governor Bello for anti-people purposes, the Presidency is challenged to name and point to the particular project executed by Governor Bello as well as make the terms and payment agreements public for Nigerians to see.

If the Buhari Presidency means well for Kogi state, it should reword its request and put the interest of the masses ahead of all selfish and parochial political considerations, particularly as the state approaches a critical election in which the people have made up their minds to vote out Governor Yahaya Bello.

Mr. President cannot claim to be unaware of the critical situation of workers in Kogi state. He cannot claim to be unaware that workers in Kogi state are being owed, in some cases up to 36 months, and that retirees and seniors are dying over non payments of their pensions after giving the best of their lives in public service.

The PDP therefore urges President Buhari to resist attempts by his handlers and Governor Bello to drag his Presidency into this shameful attempt to steal fund that ought to go to the suffering masses in Kogi state.

Furthermore, the party charges the legislature to be on the side of the people by applying its legislative instruments to commence an immediate investigation into the alleged squandering of over N700 billion Kogi state funds by the Bello administration in the last four years.

The PDP also calls on the people of Kogi state as well as financial watch organizations to be at alert, monitor all disbursement of funds to Kogi state and ensure that Governor Bello and the APC do not achieve their aim of diverting the N10.069 billion for their selfish purposes.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Gag the Media, Kill Democracy: The APC’s Modus Operandi and the Hypocrisy of No Opposition in Nigeria. We must #RescueNigeria

Recently, the failed and discredited All Progressives Congress (APC), told Nigerians that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not playing a viable opposition.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Lanre Onilu, the APC said Nigeria is becoming a one party state.

According to him...“Sadly, Nigeria is becoming a one-party state. As a party that believes in democracy and progressive politics, we cannot pretend any longer. Democracy cannot be said to be fully operational in a situation where the supposed ‘main’ opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party has become a joke, irresponsible and rudderless.”.

Mr. Onilu went further to say…“There is a lot to gain by our democracy and our country in an atmosphere of robust engagement by responsible and patriotic opposition. The political system we practice has important roles for the political parties outside of power. The system envisaged that such parties would provide alternative viewpoints and put the governing party on its toes.”

The statements above totally contradict recent happenings in the country. Nigeria as at today is gradually descending into a state of anarchy. The APC led Federal Government on a daily basis is emasculating free press and suppressing the voices of opposition.

The consistent attack on media houses, opposition leaders and perceived enemies of government are typical examples of how the Party, the APC and the Federal Government are using state powers to kill and destroy our hard earned democracy.

It’s important to take a look at what the APC led FG is doing to opposition and media houses.

On Sunday, January 6, 2019, a team of armed security forces consisting of the Army, Department of State Security Service (DSS) and the police invaded the office of Daily Trust Newspapers. On the same day, two of its offices in Maiduguri and Lagos were also invaded by the security forces.

Fresh 105.9FM Ibadan is a private radio station based in Oyo State, South-West Nigeria. The medium has a staff strength of over hundred workers across its two radio stations. The radio stations are owned by broadcaster and singer, Yinka Ayefele. The radio station was demolished by the APC state government in 2018.

On the 6th of July, 2019, the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), fraudulently withdrew the operational license of DAAR Communication PLC, owner of Raypower, AIT and FAARJI Fm. The corporation also threatened to withdraw licenses of many other media outfits on flimsy excuses of promoting violence and inciting the public.

In a research done by Amnesty International (Nigeria), titled, “Endangered Voices, Attack on Freedom of Expression”, the organization listed more than 19 journalists that were arrested, tortured and detained and media houses that were demolished or harassed by state agencies between January to September 2019.

This is in addition to several other politicians of PDP extraction, perceived enemies of government and press men that were arrested between 2015 to January 2019 for speaking against government policies or holding government accountable at both states and federal levels.

Just for the records, please find below the 19 journalist/media houses that were arrested/demolished between January to September 2019 (List were drawn from Amnesty International Reports).

JONES ABIRI - ARRESTED AND DETAINED FOR PUBLISHING STORIES ABOUT OIL BLOCKS IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION.

KOFI BARTELS - ARRESTED AND TORTURED FOR FILMING POLICE BRUTALITY

MARY EKERE - JOURNALIST ASSAULTED AND DETAINED FOR TAKING PHOTOS OF BRUTALITY BY STATE OFFICIALS

JAMIL MABAI - BLOGGER ARRESTED AND DETAINED FOR FACEBOOK POSTING

SAIFULLAHI MIKAILU - BLOGGER ARRESTED, TORTURED AND DETAINED

AHMED SALKIDA - STIGMATISED AND HARRASSED FOR INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

SAMUEL OGUNDIPE - ARRESTED AND DETAINED FOR REFUSING TO DISCLOSE SOURCES OF HIS STORIES

On 17 January 2017, policemen arrested Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premium Times online newspaper and Evelyn Okakwu, a Premium Times judicial correspondent, during a raid on the office premises.

On 20 May 2017, officials of the State Regulatory Board for Land and Urban Development, Nassarawa State Urban Development Board (NUDB), demolished Breeze 99.9FM, a private radio station based in Lafia, Nassarawa State, over alleged violation of land laws.

DANIEL AND TIMOTHY ELOMBAH – TWO BROTHERS - JOURNALISTS ACCUSED OF CYBERCRIME. RECEIVED THREAT MESSAGES FROM INDIVIDUALS AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

JAA’FAR JAA’FAR - JOURNALIST ACCUSED OF DEFAMATION FOR EXPOSING CORRUPTION

OBINNA DON NORMAN - JOURNALIST ACCUSED OF CYBERSTALKING FOR EXPOSING CORRUPTION

GLORIA MABEIAM BALLASON - ON-AIR PERSONALITY HARASSED

UTITOFON MORGAN UKPONG - BLOGGER ARRESTED FOR A BLOG HE DID NOT WRITE

OHIMAI AMAIZE – JOURNALIST FORCED TO FLEE NIGERIA

SECURITY FORCES ATTACKED THREE OFFICES OF DAILY TRUST NEWSPAPERS IN JANUARY 2019

FRESH FM DEMOLISHED, ETC.

In addition to this, Omoyele Sowore, a journalist, political activist and publisher of popular online media, Sahara Reporters was arrested at the early hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019, at about 1:25 am. He is still in detention after he was granted bail twice by courts of competent jurisdictions.

Another popular activist and blogger, Abubakar Idris, AKA DADIYATA, who is critical of government policies has been missing for more than 73 days now. No news of his whereabouts and the list goes on.

So, the same government that is shutting down opposition voices is now coming out to say that the PDP is not playing viral opposition. This is hypocrisy at its pick and the APC led government is seriously taking Nigerians for a ride.

We must all work together to rescue this country.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

October 15, 2019

Press Statement

Villa Feud Shows Incompetence, Disorganization in Buhari Presidency- PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the dirty public fight between the First Lady, Aisha Buhari and President Muhammadu Buhari’s cousins, over rooms in the Presidential villa, as disgraceful and further underlines the managerial ineptitude and leadership failures of the Buhari Presidency

The party says the chaos in the Villa further exposes the Buhari Presidency’s poor management of issues and highlights why it has failed monumentally in delivering on any of its responsibilities in governance, thus leaving our dear nation in a shambolic situation in the last five years.

The feud further uncovers the impunity, disorderliness and vanity that pervade the Buhari Presidency and how the once serious and productive seat of power has been turned into a house of comedy and an overcrowded quarter for illegal occupants.

Nigerians can now see why it has become difficult for our nation to witness any stability or progress under the Buhari Presidency and why the Buhari-led Federal Government has been bedeviled by confusion, infighting, policy flip-flops, statutory violations, promotion of violence, ingrained corruption and administrative indolence while millions of Nigerians wallow in poverty and neglect.

Nigerians and the world can equally see why no one expects the Buhari Presidency to articulate any progressive idea or proffer and implement any solution to the myriad of economic and security problems it caused our nation; they can now see why there is no hope in sight and why compatriots are daily agitating for a new order.

Our party notes that our dear nation has suffered enough disgrace from the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP therefore charges President Buhari to immediately apologize to Nigerians for his failures and be ready to vacate office for more competent hands, since it has become obvious that he is leading our country to nowhere.

Furthermore, the PDP urges the National Assembly to investigate the alleged abuse of office by President Buhari following revelation that he assigns official facilities in the Presidential villa to unauthorized persons that have no official roles in governance, and apply appropriate sanctions.

The PDP also urges the National Assembly to sanitize the Presidential villa by probing allegations of illegal allotment of offices and apartments to unauthorized persons, including scammers and corruption fronts in Aso Rock.

The party however urges Nigerians to remain calm as such provocative and disgraceful developments will soon come to an end with the retrieval of our stolen mandate at the Supreme Court.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

October 14, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Hails Tribunal Verdict On Adamawa Governorship Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the affirmation of the election of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa by the State Governorship election tribunal, as victory for democracy and a triumph of the will and aspiration of the people over manipulative forces.

The PDP is indeed not surprised that the tribunal, in affirming the mandate of the people, dismissed the entire petition against Governor Fintiri’s election as lacking in merit.

Our party rejoices with the people of Adamawa state, who have been jubilant over the verdict, as it marks the consolidation of their aspiration for a purposeful, transparent and result-oriented government for greater cohesion, stability and productivity in the state.

Unarguably, Governor Fintiri was elected because of his manifest patriotism and dedication to duty as already evinced in his zeal towards the development of the state, empowerment of the people as well as peaceful coexistence in the state.

Already, Governor Fintiri’s fervor towards the rapid development of the state in various sectors, including agriculture, infrastructure, education, health care, rural development, industrialization and other critical areas of life, stand him out as a leader devoted only to the good of the people.

The PDP commends the judiciary for upholding justice even as it restates its call to all public officials elected and appointed on its platform to continue in their selfless service to the people; for which the party is known across the country and beyond.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Presidential Election Judgment Appeal: How the Appeal Court abandoned, abused the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)

PDP and Atiku/Obi’s Grounds of Petition Number 26.

The court of appeal in its ruling of September 11, 2019 on the petition of the PDP and Atiku/Obi, held thus: that the INEC has no statutory legal backings supporting the commission to transmit results of elections electronically or the use of other electronic devices during elections.[b]

The prohibition on the use of electronic devices as seen in section 52(1)(b) of the electoral act 2010 (as amended) was deleted from the act in the amendments signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

In Section 153 of the electoral act 2010 (as amended), the act empowers INEC to issue Regulations, Guidelines or Manuals for any elections. What this implies is that, INEC is at liberty to issue guidelines or regulate the elections as they deem fit.

[b]The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in Section 160(1), also supported the provisions of section 153 of the electoral act 2010 (as amended). The provisions confer powers on the INEC “to make its rules or otherwise regulate its own procedure.”

Following these sections of the Constitution and the Electoral Act, the INEC in its guidelines for the conduct of the 2019 General Elections made the use of smart card reader a compulsory requirement for the elections. The commission even canceled elections in various parts of the country where Smart Card Readers were not used.

GROUND 26: ERROR IN LAW

The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they held as follows:

“Contrary to the submissions of the Petitioners that Section 52(2) of the Electoral Act now gives statutory backing to 1st Respondent to transmit results of the election electronically via Smart Card Reader, there is no such statutory backing. The position on the use of Smart Card Reader in election has not changed for the simple reason that Electoral Act outlawed the use of electronic voting, it is for the time being prohibited. That remains the law and it is inviolate until necessary amendments are carried out on the Electoral Act 2010 as amended by the National Assembly.

The controversies engendered or generated by the use or non-use of Smart Card Readers in 2015 elections and whether card reader report can be used to determine the actual votes or results in an election including Presidential Election still persist.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has settled the law on the position of the use of Smart Card Reader in an election and had interpreted Section 52(1)(b) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended which provides that the use of electronic voting machine for the time being is prohibited in numerous cases suffice to refer to some of them…

The submissions of the Learned Senior Counsel to the Petitioners on import of Section 52(2) of the Electoral Act 2010 as amended and on Exhibit P27, P28, P33 and P74 – P80 are not well founded.”

PARTICULARS OF ERROR:

The prohibition on the use of electronic voting contained in section 52(1) (b) of the Electoral Act, 2010 was amended and deleted therefrom by the Electoral (Amendment) Act, 2015 Government Notice No. 26 of 31 March 2015, Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette

The 1st Respondent has powers under Section 153 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) to issue Regulations, Guidelines or Manuals for elections.

Section 160(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) confers powers on the 1st Respondents “to make its rules or otherwise regulate its own procedure.”

Exhibits P27, P28 and P33 were the products of the exercise of statutory powers conferred on the 1st Respondent by the Constitution.

Exhibit P33 contains provisions on the use of Smart Card Readers for electronic collation and electronic transmission of results.

Neither the Supreme Court nor the Court of Appeal has interpreted the extant provisions of Section 52(2) of the Electoral Act (as amended) in relation to the electronic collation and transmission of results.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

October 13, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Rejects Moves By FG to Gag Media, Freedom of Speech

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rejects the moves by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Federal Government to further gag the media, subjugate Nigerians and curtail their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression.

The party says the decision by President Buhari to impose stringent regulations on online media and broadcast organisations as recently announced by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, is completely obnoxious, anti-democratic and a direct violation of statutory rules governing media practice and freedom of expression in Nigeria.

The PDP also rejects the Presidential declaration of political comments as “Class A” offence, insisting that such is designed to undermine the nation’s constitutional democracy, exterminate the rights of citizens to dissenting public opinion, emasculate the opposition and foist a dictatorship and one party system on our nation.

Our party alerts that such moves amount to an attempt to amend our constitution to take away the rights of citizens and undermine our democratic institutions; a development that has the capacity to destabilize our dear nation.

The PDP invites Nigerians to note that this dictatorial pathways which the Buhari Presidency seeks to impose, if allowed, will herald the gradual emasculation of freedom of expression, repression of free press, infringements on the rights of citizens and foisting of siege mentality on the people.

Nigerians are already apprehensive that the directive is geared towards clearing the ground for the introduction of certain harsh policies in our country.

The party insists that our constitution has made enough provisions to guide media practice as well as the exercise of freedom of expression, adding that the foisting of unconstitutional and suppressive regulations is not acceptable under any guise.

The PDP therefore calls on the members of the National Assembly, as the representatives of the people, to reject this Presidential directive in the interest of our nation.

It also cautions President Muhammadu Buhari and his advisers not to derail the nation with such undemocratic policies.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

October 11, 2019

Press Statement

PDP To Sagay: Tell Buhari the Truth, Corruption Resides in His Presidency

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says President Muhammadu Buhari should leave the 8th National Assembly out of his failures to tame his fraudulent officials and curb the humongous corruption festering in his Presidency.

The party said the Chairman of Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, at his age and status, ought to be bold enough to tell President Buhari that corruption resides in the Presidential Villa and that a President who surrounds himself with corrupt persons as ministers, special advisers and confidants cannot fight corruption.

The PDP tasks Prof. Sagay to clear his conscience by using his position to ask President Buhari to answer Nigerians on the alleged siphoning of N9 trillion oil money through shady contracts, under his watch, as detailed in the leaked NNPC memo.

The party further advised that Prof. Sagay could take a face-saving measure by demanding an investigation into the alleged corruption in the handling of the N1.4 trillion oil subsidy involving the cabal in the Presidency and certain All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, in addition to the reported stealing of over N1.1 trillion worth of crude under Mr. President’s watch.

It is strange to many Nigerians that Prof. Sagay, as the Chairman of the anti-corruption committee, could not summon the boldness to ask President Buhari to order an investigation into allegations by the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, that the N500bn meant for Social Investment Program was diverted to private purses.

Furthermore, Prof. Sagay and President Buhari had been mute over the recent arrest of President Buhari’s confidant, Nasir Banu in the United Kingdom for alleged passport scam and money laundering, while allegedly ferrying stolen money to persons said to be close to the Buhari Presidency.

Also, Prof. Sagay is yet to speak out on the recent arrest of a scammer, Abdulrauf Illyasu, who operates from within the Presidential Villa, and never said anything about the arrest of former aide to the First Lady as well as one Amina Mohammed, who openly confessed fronting for persons close to the President for serial fraud, contract scams and looting of public resources.

These and many more are corruption issues, which fall directly on the shoulders of the Buhari Presidency for which Nigerians expected Prof. Sagay and his committee to address.

Prof. Sagay should therefore leave the former President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki and then House of Representatives Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, alone and accept the fact that the Buhari Presidency cannot fight corruption because it swims in ocean of corruption.

If anything, Nigerians are still aware of how the 8th National Assembly exposed corruption in the Buhari administration including issues of budget padding, alleged diversion of funds meant for the Internally Displaced Persons and stealing in revenue generating agencies.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

Presidential Election Petition Appeal: How the Appeal Court went on a shopping spree to Support President Buhari’s claims

A court of law according to the Webster dictionary is “a court that hears cases and decides them on the basis of statutes or the common law”

Statutes in law is a body of law consisting of written laws adopted by a legislative body. Statute law is often contrasted with case law, which originates from decisions of the appellate courts; and with constitutional law, based on a country's written constitution.

Father Christmas

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, instead of relying on evidence presented to the court by the 3rd Respondent, the APC and the 2nd Respondent, the APC’s Presidential Candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, went on a shopping spree, looking for information that were not pleaded by the respondents to support their claims.

What an aberration. Justice Mohammed Garba’s Court became a father Christmas, dishing out judgements on issues not pleaded for by the respondents.

Read Ground 19 of the PDP and Atiku/Obi’s appeal at the Supreme Court

GROUND 19: ERROR IN LAW

The Learned Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they held as follows:

“That is not the end of the matter. I take it a little further that even if the newspaper Report containing the Army denial Exhibit P24 can be accorded probative value or weight, the newspaper Exhibit P24 and in particular the statement or refutation made by Brigadier General Olajide Laleye on 21st January, 2015 does not at all support the position of the Petitioners that the 2nd Respondent has no certificates or that he was not educated up to Secondary School Certificate. Exhibit P24 point blank confirms that the 2nd Respondent obtained a WASC Certificate otherwise known as West African School Certificate and that he attended the Schools listed in his FORM CF001 Exhibit P1.”

PARTICULARS OF ERROR

The Court of Appeal made a case which none of the Respondents made.

The unequivocal claim of the 2nd Respondent is that the Certificates he listed in Exhibit P1 “are currently” with the Secretary to the Military Board.

Brigadier Laleye clearly stated in Exhibits P80, P24 and R23 that the Nigerian Army does not have the original copies or Certified True Copies of the 2nd Respondent’s Certificates.

There is nothing in Exhibit P24 that confirms that the 2nd Respondent obtained WASC Certificate.

The confirmation can only be made by a production of a Certificate or a Certified True Copy of it.

The finding of the court below is speculative.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

The many lies of APC, Buhari: Policy somersault, rigmarole. We must #RescueNigeria.

In view of recent happenings and developments in the country, it is important that we review how Nigeria and Nigerians have fared in the last four years under the administration of the President Buhari led APC.

1. Promise of Restructuring: The issue of restructuring was a cardinal agenda in the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC stated thus: “To achieve this laudable programme APC government shall restructure the country, devolve power to the units, with the best practices of federalism and eliminate unintended paralysis of the center.”

Rather than fulfilling this promise to Nigerians, the APC instead setup a Committee headed by the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam El’Rufai. The Committee submitted its report on the 25th of January 2018, three years after assuming office and the recommendation of that committee is yet to be implemented till date.

2. Fuel Subsidy: During an interview in 2011, the then Presidential Candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), General Muhammadu Buhari has this to say about fuel subsidy…


“WHO is subsidizing who? The Nigerian oil industry was developed with Nigerian capital. Most of the experts are Nigerians, if you go to the fields. It is Nigerian capital; it is Nigerian oil. What I understand that Nigeria should charge Nigerians is the cost of one barrel at the wellhead and then the cost of transportation to the refinery, the cost of refining it and its cost at the pump. If anybody says he is subsidizing anything, he is a fraud. So all these people talking about subsidy, who is subsidizing who?” General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), 2011

But the story changed when he was elected President in 2015. Instead of living up to his words, President Buhari and his Party, the APC did not only sustained the fuel subsidy he claimed was a fraud, he also increased fuel prize from the N87 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration to the current N145 per liter of fuel.

3. Medical Tourism Abroad: The then Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), while speaking in a town hall meeting in London with the Nigerian community on February 22, 2015 has this to say. “Why should Nigerian President not fly with other Nigerian public! Why do I need to embark on a foreign trip as a president with a huge crowd with public fund? Why do I need to go for foreign medical trip if we cannot make our hospital functional? Why do we need to send our children to school abroad if we cannot develop our university to compete with the foreign ones? Why, and why must our people be servants to the foreigners in the midst of plenty? I can go on and on.

I came here to the UK and I chose to trek just to make sure I send a message back home to some people who wish us dead. This is not my struggle; it is our collective efforts to save Nigeria from those who have failed us for 16 years.”



President Buhari has gone to the United Kingdom more than five times for the treatment of an undisclosed ailment since assuming office in 2015. Apart from treating himself in the London hospital against the promise he made to end medical tourism by improving the quality of healthcare delivery in the country, his son, Yusuf was flown in an air ambulance to the UK for treatment of injuries he sustained in a power bike crash in Abuja. After his treatment, the boy was flown back to the country in a chartered aircraft; a situation which triggered so much public outcry.



4. Wastages and management of public funds: In the same town hall meeting in London with Nigerian Community, General Buhari also spoke eloquently on how to curb wastages if elected into office as President of Nigeria. “One of the major killers of our economy apart from corruption is waste. Our scarce resources are being plundered away very carelessly and unnecessarily wasted. Let me give an instance, presently, there are more than 6 aircraft in the presidential fleet. What do you call that? Billions of naira is budgeted every year for the maintenance of these aircraft not to talk of operational cost and other expenses.



You may want to ask what a Nigerian President is doing with so many aircraft when a Prime Minister of Britain fly around using the same public aircraft like an ordinary Briton. Go and check and compare with that of any developed country in the world, the office of the Nigerian President is a very expensive one in spite of our high level of poverty, lack and joblessness.

Despite all these, you still find a Nigerian Minister spending about N10billion to charter an aircraft for just one year. Now, for me, when we come into office, all these waste will be blocked and properly channeled into our economy.

We intend for instance, to bring back our National carrier, the Nigerian airways. We shall do this by bringing all the aircraft in the presidential fleet into the Nigerian airways and within a year increase the fleet into about 20. What is the difference between me and those who elected us to represent them, absolutely nothing?”



It is important to note here that President Buhari of the APC is still maintaining the 10 Presidential fleets he inherited from the previous administration of the Jonathan led government of the PDP with astronomical increases in the budgets for the maintenance of this aircraft.

Recent studies show that, the Nigerian government has proposed to spend N7.30 billion (7,297,022,065) on the Presidential Air Fleet (PAF) in the 2019 budget proposal, according to details obtained from the Budget Office of the Federation.

The proposed expenditure is about 67 per cent higher than the N4.37 billion appropriations in the 2017 budget, which consisted of N3.97 billion for recurrent and N399.5 million for capital projects.

The proposed expenditure is also a little higher than the N7.26 billion appropriations for PAF in the 2018 budget, with N4.3 billion recurrent expenditures and N2.8 billion capital expenditure.

The proposed amount includes N2.9 billion (2,936,125,212) earmarked for capital expenditure and N4.3 billion (4,360,896,853) proposed for recurrent expenditure.

5. On the collaboration with Nigeria neighbors to fight insurgencies in the country, this is what the then Presidential Candidate of APC said in a town hall meeting in Kano State on February 3, 2015. “I still wonder seeing Chadian and Cameroonian troops coming to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram for us! This is serious! This tells you how insensitive and careless the leadership is.”

But in July 25, 2015, just few months after assuming office, the same President Buhari that kicked against foreign collaboration to fight Boko Haram under the PDP administration was in Yaoundé, the Cameroonian capital to seek cooperation with the government and people of Cameroon on how to fight insurgency in Nigeria.

He was also in Niger Republic on June 3, 2015 and Chad on September 5, 2015 to discuss with Presidents of this countries on the same security collaboration towards eliminating Boko Haram.

6. One of the major campaign promises of the Buhari/APC in 2014/15 was the creation of three million jobs annually.

Instead of creating three million jobs per year which could have culminated in a total of 12 million jobs in four years, the unemployment rate under the Buhari administration has risen from 18.8 per cent in Q3 2017 to 23.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2018 according to a recent report by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). According to the Bureau’s Labour Force Statistics – Volume I released on December 19, 2018, the total number of people classified as unemployed- which means they did nothing at all or worked for a few hours (under 20 hours a week) rose from 17.6 million in Q4 2017 to 20.9 million in Q3 2018.



7. Generation, transmission and distribution of at least 20,000 MW of electricity within four years and increasing to 50,000 MW with a view to achieving 24/7 uninterrupted power supply within 10 years.

Instead of fixing the power as promised, the Minster of Power, Works and Housing said the following. “The problem of electricity is slowly being solved, one by one. Anybody will tell you he will do magic; tell him, ‘How?’ He should explain to you. We inherited 800 containers for power equipment left in the port for 10 years. President Buhari gave us approval, and we have recovered 690.”

8. Recently, after the Wednesday weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, flanked by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed told Nigerians that the government is returning toll plazas on our roads.

When the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP made a similar move in 2011, Mohammed kicked against it vehemently, referring Jonathan to his inaugural speech. This were his words.

“Perhaps the President needs to read his own inaugural speech again so he can redirect his energy toward making life more abundant for the people, instead of inflicting sufferings of Biblical proportion on them.

“Is the federal government aware of the deplorable state of the roads across the country before contemplating the re-introduction of toll gates? No one should ever be made to pay for services not rendered.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

Presidential Election: What the PDP and Atiku/Obi presented to the Supreme Court...How Buhari lied on Oath

*Ground of Appeal Number 9*

One of the grounds of appeal presented before the Supreme Court by the PDP and Atiku/Obi is the fact that the 2nd Respondent (President Muhammadi Buhai), failed to attach the certificates he claimed in his form CF001to INEC.

President Buhari had lied on oath that he attended Primary School and has Primary School Certificate in 1952. That he has Secondary education and WASC in 1961 and for his Higher School he stated “OFFICER CADET” 1963.

But no certificates were attached to his form CF001 as required by law. Rather, President Buhari attached an affidavit, the same one he deposed to in 2014, stating that his certificates were currently with the Nigerian Army..

But the Army through its Secretary, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye, in 2014 told the world that the Army does not have President Buhari’s certificates as claimed by him in the said affidavit.

PARTICULARS OF ERROR:

1. Form CF001 mandatorily requires that the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari), was to attach his qualifying certificates; which requirement was not fulfilled by the 2nd Respondent.

2. Evidence was led by the Appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) to show that the 2nd Respondent (President Muhammadu Buhari) does not possess the Certificates he listed in Form CF001.

3. The Appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) having established that the 2nd Respondent (President Muhammadu Buhari) does not have the certificates to attach to his Form CF001, the burden of proof shifted to the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) to prove, in accordance with the mandatory requirement of Form CF001, the schools he attended and attach the certificates obtained, to authenticate that claim, which burden the 2nd Respondent failed to discharge.

4. The evidence of RW1 and RW2 and the contents of the 2nd Respondent’s CV are not substitutes for the documentary evidence of the qualifying certificates.

5. The 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari), who had claimed on oath that he possesses the Certificates for Primary School, Secondary School and “Officer Cadet” in part C of Form CF001 was shown not to have those Certificates, and the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) was not able to produce the said Certificates.

6. The lower Court was wrong to equate the 2nd Respondent’s (Muhammadu Buhari) attendance of Primary School, Secondary School, and Officer Cadet Course, for the representation of the 2nd Respondent that he possesses these Certificates.

7. The lower Court was wrong to infer that the 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) handed over his certificates to the Secretary Military Board at any time whatsoever.

8. There was oral evidence from RW1 to the effect that the representation of 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari) of having submitted his “Certificates” to military authorities was false.

9. There was evidence from PW1 and PW2 and from Exhibits P80 and P24 on the denials of the Military Authorities that they are in possession of 2nd Respondent’s “Certificates” as deposed to on Oath by 2nd Respondent (Muhammadu Buhari).

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

[quote author= post=82777881]Fried rice and Barbecue Chicken?!

Nothing like it.

Sweet and Delicious


We were actually at the venue yesterday.
Twas salivating!

Apart from that, you know how some foods will taste by just seeing the pic.
#DatsAll.

Oh la la.......


Lol
Barbecue is life sir!
You can never go wrong with a plate of good food.
We hope you don't see our moniker whenever you are fasting o! [/quote]Are you in Abuja?

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For more information, visit mamador.com.ng or follow @mamadorng on social media.

Mamador Brings All Taste And Health To Fried Rice Day With Its Seasoning Cube

It is absolutely fascinating to know you can prepare variants of fried rice without tumeric and curry, and still get the expected appeal and great taste in one dish. Mamador proved that with its new brand of cooking seasoning cubes, during a masterclass, organized by the brand to celebrate the National Fried Rice Day.

The Fried Rice Day celebration provided the Mamador brand the opportunity to demonstrate and showcase the health and taste benefits of the Mamador seasoning cubes. The Master Class sessions featured two celebrity chefs and food bloggers, Ifeyinwa Mogekwu of Ify’s Kitchen and Winifred Emmanuel of Zeelicious Foods, who engaged the audience on unique, tasty, yet healthy ways of preparing their favourite variants of fried rice dishes. Guests at the event were educated on the important role the Mamador seasoning cubes play in the preparation of the various fried rice dishes, as it provided a perfect substitute for key spices such as turmeric or curry with even better results, especially the Chicken variant which was specially formulated to give best Fried Rice and Curry appeal.

Speaking at the event was Ipsit Chakrabarti, Deputy Managing Director, PZ Wilmar Ltd., who reiterated the company’s commitment to providing Nigerians with healthier and tastier cooking options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aC29aX3G9A&feature=youtu.be
“We want to enliven and encourage tasty healthy nutrition amongst Nigerians, and most importantly demystify the myth around healthy meals. Many people think that they cannot enjoy both, but the truth is that with Mamador they can. This event provided us opportunity to demonstrate this possibility and we are quite pleased that our guests enjoyed the meals by our Chefs and also learned healthier options of cooking which for us is the ultimate goal,” he said.

Guests present at the event were also treated to sumptuous meals of the varieties of the popular fried rice dish as they joined many others around the world to celebrate the Fried Rice Day.

Toyin Popoola-Dania, Category Development and Activation Manager, PZ Wilmar, added, “Mamador is committed to providing food that is healthy for you and tastes good as well. So we fortify our high quality products with essential vitamins & minerals. We are here to walk you through your desire for more rewarding meals breaking all the myths around healthy meals.”

Toyin emphasized the significance of the Fried Rice Day celebration, saying that rice as a dish is quite popular to Nigerians and the Master class sessions was a way of enhancing the preparation and enjoyment of the fried rice delicacy. According to her, the company ventured into the seasoning category to offer Nigerians a healthier, much valuable and affordable options, something different from the norm.

October 1, 2019

Press Statement

Buhari’s Independence Broadcast: An Insult to Nigerians, Mockery of Democracy

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the President Muhammadu Buhari’s Independence Day broadcast as an insult on the psyche of Nigerians and a mockery of our national integrity as an independent state.

The party says the speech was completely unpresidential, lacking in patriotic stance and replete with manifest inconsistencies, contradictions, paradoxes and false performance claims, which further confirm that our dear fatherland is in wrong hands.

The PDP notes that President Buhari, in his recorded address, failed to forcefully address the key issues of freedom, social justice, constitutional order, separation of powers, rule of law, human rights, credible elections, national cohesion, accountability and transparency in government; the very fundamentals of an independent state, because his administration had violated them all.

The party regretted that President Buhari had no forceful reassurances on the challenge of escalated insecurity under his watch; he had no clear-cut and operable blueprint to revamp our economy, which his administration wrecked in a period of four years, resulting in so much hardship and despondency that Nigerians now resort to suicide and slavery abroad as options.

Our party notes that this address further exposes that the Buhari Presidency is not interested in nation building; that it is completely disconnected from the people and remains insensitive to the plights of Nigerians.

The PDP states that if anything, Mr. President only succeeded in further demonstrating that his administration is, indeed, in no position to deliver a credible, acceptable and satisfactory independence address.

This is so because under the Buhari Presidency, our nation has experienced the worst form of division, deprivation, human right abuse, constitutional violations, disregard to rule of law, electoral malpractices, disobedience to court order, disrespect for separation of powers and curtailing of press freedom.

The PDP further laments that due to the incompetence and legitimacy challenges confronting the Buhari Presidency, our nation is losing her voice and due regard in the international arena; as the administration has remained lacking in the required capacity and boldness to forcefully engage other world leaders on critical issues.

The dearth in foreign direct investment and the inhuman treatments being meted out on our citizens in countries where we were once held in very high esteem, are some of the injuries our nation is suffering under the Buhari administration.

The party describes as depressing that while other leaders motivate their citizens on a day like this, President Buhari is presenting uninspiring claims, propaganda and empty promises.

The PDP however urges Nigerians not to despair but keep hope alive as we collectively await the Supreme Court to deliver justice and retrieve our stolen Presidential mandate, so that the nation will have a leadership that it truly deserves at this point in our national history.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

September 30, 2019

Press Statement

Oct 1: PDP Salutes Nigerians, Calls For Patriotism

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) salutes Nigerians on the occasion of the 59th Independence anniversary of our dear country.

Our party commends the citizens for their resilience in standing up for the unity and survival of the nation despite the daunting challenges.

The PDP urges Nigerians to keep hope alive and not surrender to despondency in the face of the excesses, impunity and recklessness of retrogressive forces in high places seeking to undermine our national cohesion, freedom of our citizens as guaranteed by the constitution as well as emasculate the will and aspiration of Nigerians as a people.

The PDP notes that the October 1 date remains an undying signpost of our freedom and unity as a nation. It reminds of the roots of our national cohesiveness; the sacrifices of our heroes and our determination to live harmoniously and succeed as one people, in all spheres of human endeavours; a national distinctiveness for which we are known and respected all over the world.

The party celebrates the resilience and industry of Nigerians in various fields within and outside the shores of our country as well as the fortitude displayed by our citizens to remain united despite the odds.

The PDP however notes that it is indeed depressing that after 59 years of independence and efforts by patriotic Nigerians in nurturing democratic practice and tenets, the last four years have experienced a complete retrogression to primordial division, impunity, constitutional and human rights violations, assault on institutions of democracy, disobedience to court orders, electoral malpractices and governance by a cabal.

In the same vein, in the last four years, our nation has been faced with the challenge of falling from being one of the fastest growing economies and home to world’s happiest people to become world’s poverty capital with a citizenry confronted by misery, insecurity, escalated violence, bloodletting, kidnapping, banditry and worsened insurgency.

The PDP however expressed optimism that the nation will eventually come out of the woods and urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the independence anniversary to rekindle their commitment towards the unity, stability and development of our fatherland, especially as we collectively await the retrieval of our stolen Presidential mandate at the Supreme Court.

The party urges leaders at all levels to be committed and sacrificial in the discharge of their duties and desist from empty promises, rhetoric and propaganda, as Nigerians look up to them for solutions.

The PDP prays for the stability of our nation and wishes Nigerians happy independence celebrations.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

How President Buhari stabbed Onnoghen in the back...What Awaits Tanko

In 2007, the then Presidential Candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), General MuhammaduBuhari, had challenged the outcome of the April 27, 2007 Presidential Election which he lost.

General Buhari had approached the court, majorly on the grounds that the Presidential election did not meet substantial compliance with the 2006 Electoral Act.

Supreme Court judgment of December 12, 2008

The Supreme Court in a split 4-3 judgment dismissed the petition of General Muhammadu Buhari.

The then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, Justice Aloysius Iyorger Kastina-Alu, Justice Niki Tobi and Justice Dahiru Musdapher, dismissed the appeal brought before the Supreme Court by General Buhari and upheld the election of Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Justice Niki Tobi who read the lead judgment held thus; “In my view, the most important complaint in an election petition is the disenfranchisement of eligible voters who reported within the statutory time to cast their votes but could not for reasons of violation of the Electoral Act, if there is evidence that despite all the non-compliance with the Electoral Act, the result of the election was not substantially affected, the petition must fail.”

In other words, Election Tribunal must, as a matter of law dismiss the petition, and that accords with section 146 (1) of the Electoral Act.”

The courageous Dissenting Judgements in favour of General Buhari

In their dissenting judgment, the trio of Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, Justice George Adesola Oguntade and Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar (former CJN), held that the allegation of substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2006 was proved by the petitioner (General Muhammadu Buhari).

Justice Oguntade who read the lead dissenting judgment held thus: ”The inevitable conclusion I arrived at is that the failure of the 1st Respondent (INEC) and the Chief National Electoral Officer, Maurice Iwu, to use serialised ballot papers bound in a booklet is clearly non-compliance, which shows that the 2007 presidential elections were not conducted substantially in accordance with the principles of the Electoral Act 2006.”

Onnoghen’s unlawful removal prior to the 2019 Presidential election

In late 2018, President Buhari hurriedly suspended the then Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

President Buhari relied on a purported order by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), directing the suspension of the CJN, saying that the suspension is “pending the final determination of the case against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal.”

Before you will say jack, President Buhari single-handedly installed the most senior judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Tanko Mohammed, in acting capacity without following the due process and the law.

Can the President alone install the CJN?

The answer is capital No

Section 292 of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999 as amended reads thus:

(1) A judicial officer shall not be removed from his office or appointment before his age of retirement except in the following circumstances:
(a) in the case of -
(i) Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Grand Kadi of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and President, Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.

(b) says: in any case, other than those to which paragraph (a) of this subsection applies, by the President or, as the case may be, the Governor acting on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council that the judicial officer be so removed for his inability to discharge the functions of his office or appointment (whether arising from infirmity of mind or of body) or for misconduct or contravention of the Code of Conduct.

In view of the above, the President lacks the powers to suspend or remove Justice Walter Onnoghen from office.

Reason for Onnoghen’s Removal

It is important to note here that, the only reason President Buhari hurriedly orchestrated the removal of Justice Walter Onnoghen from office before the commencement of the 2019 Presidential Election was because Justice Onnoghen is a courageous and incorruptible judge and has proven so in many cases.

President Buhari who had determined to hold on to power by every means possible, well ahead of the February 23, 2019 elections; knew that the likes of Justice Onnoghen would not be easily swayed as Chief Justice if he is to superintend his case. Justice Onnoghen is regarded as one of the few dogged and a fearless judges around. President Buhari knows this much from his experience in the 2008 Supreme Court judgement, even though Justice Onnoghen was on his side, at the time.

Advice for Justice Tanko

The task before the Supreme Court in the 2019 Presidential Election petition is that involving a saviour versus a messiah. Court Affidavit and CV cannot in any way, supersede certificates.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

September 29, 2019

Press Statement

PDP Mourn Nwabia, Commiserates With Family

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is shocked and devastated by the news of the death of notable social activist and one of its frontline defender in the social media, Mr. Stanley Nwabia.

Indeed, our hearts bleed. Nwabia’s death is a painful loss to our party, the PDP; the teeming Nigerian youths as well as the overall struggle for democratic order and justice in Nigeria.

Nwabia was a courageous and patriotic Nigerian, who dedicated his youthful life in the defence of justice, equity, fairness, rule of law and the unity of our dear nation.

The PDP is pained that Nwabia left the stage at his prime when his family, community and our nation at large needed him the most.

The PDP deeply commiserates with Nwabia’s family. Our prayers go out especially to his wife, children and relations as well as the body of compatriots for this irreparable loss.

The PDP prays that God Almighty, in His mercies, grant eternal rest to the faithful departed as well as give all of us the fortitude to bear this loss

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

So that we don’t repeat the mistakes of 1979 rulings of the Supreme Court.

In 1979, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of blessed memory, challenged the victory of Alhaji Shehu Shagari in the August 11, 1979 Presidential Election.

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had dismissed the petition of Chief Awolowo, affirming the election of Alhaji Shagari on grounds that the Appellant's claims that the respondent (Shehu Shagari) did not satisfy the position of the law based on Section 34 A(i)(c)(ii) of the Electoral Decree of not winning two thirds of all the states of the federation.

The then lead Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Fatai Williams, on September 16, 1979, upheld the decision of the lower court, saying that 25% of two-thirds of the votes in Kano State was 203, 460.5 votes.

By the results declared by FEDECO, Alhaji Shehu Shagari got 25% of the votes cast in twelve (12) states out of nineteen (19); namely: Bauchi, Bendel, Borno, Cross River, Gongola, Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and Sokoto States. The 13th state was the issue, which was Kano state. Alhaji Shagari scored 243,423 votes, equivalent to 19.4% of the 1,220,763 total votes cast in Kano State.

The Mistake of the Lower Court

The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal had determined two thirds of the votes in Kano by dividing the 1,220,763 total votes cast in Kano by two-thirds to arrive at 813, 842, and then declare Shagari’s own votes of 243,423 in Kano as greater than 25% of the total votes cast in Kano

The Mistakes of the 2019 Presidential Election Petition Tribunal

The first ground of appeal has to do with the documents relating to the educational qualifications of President Muhammadu Buhari as tendered by him and admitted by the court as exhibits.

Citing the relevant provisions of the electoral act, the appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) contend that the documents were neither pleaded by President Buhari or frontloaded as legally required and as such could not have been deemed as properly admitted by the court.

On this ground, Atiku and the PDP argue that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it relied on the phrase “overall interest of justice” to admit the documents and relied on it.

On another ground, there are errors raised by the appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) against the judgement of the presidential election petition court involving the interpretation of the INEC form in section 76 of the electoral act 2010 as amended.

The court had held that the forms referred to in the section has to do with that used in the conduct of elections and not the form (CF001) which every candidate must fill.

Here, Justice Garba also held that a candidate is not required by the constitution and the electoral act to attach his certificates to the form before he can be adjudged to possess the requite qualification to contest

But Atiku and the PDP in their appeal argue that the court erred in law as the said form CF001 clearly provides a column for schools attended and educational qualifications with dates. furthermore, in their submission they contend that the form also contains a clear provision written “attach evidence of all educational qualifications”.

In the particulars of error, the appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) highlights that the conduct of election starts with the screening of candidates and that no candidate can be screened without completing the form CF001, and that certificates are evidence of educational qualification.

The supreme court has also been invited to review the conclusion of the presidential election petition court where it held that the petitioners did not plead that President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to attach his certificates amount to lack of qualification to contest the election.

Referring to paragraphs 388-405 of the petition, Atiku and the PDP argue that they had pleaded and proved the allegation that President Buhari gave false information of a fundamental nature to INEC.

They further brought to the attention of the supreme court a recent judgement it delivered on the 30th of July where the apex court interpreted the meaning and standard of proof of false information in the case involving AA Modibbo and Mustapha Usman where the supreme court sacked a serving member of the House of Representatives .

Citing the legal principle of stare decisis, the appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) contend that the Justice Mohammed Garba’s led presidential election petition court failed to consider and apply the supreme court authority but merely referred to it.

Atiku and the PDP also submit that the court of appeal’s conclusion was speculative when it inferred that President Buhari presented his certificate to the army for documentation based on his army form 199a.

Their argument here is that, Justice Garba’s court did not rely on evidence led but by assumptions and presumptions that President Buhari possesses the certificates he claims. they have argued that common-sense holds no role in proof of facts before a court, insisting that President Buhari himself failed to produce any single certificate in support of his claim.

The PDP and Atiku/Obi also described the lower courts position that President Buhari was “eminently qualified” as gratuitous and unsolicited.

The appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) also submit that the court of appeal made a case for President Buhari in which none of his lawyers made, when it referred to a newspaper publication to validate his qualification.

The supreme court has also been invited to review the position of the Appeal Court that the petitioners dumped their exhibits on the issue of unlawfulness of votes without calling their makers to testify.

Atiku and the PDP have argued that the exhibits tendered before the lower court were certified true copies of electoral documents, and being public documents there was no need to call the makers.

Prayers by the Petitioners: (PDP and Atiku/Obi)

The prayers by the appellants (PDP and Atiku/Obi) is that the court of appeal’s decision be set aside, and that the supreme court should declares Atiku as the winner or in the alternative nullify the February 23, 2019 Presidential Poll and Order for a fresh election.

It’s time to #RescueNigeria

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