₦airaland Forum

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has in a strong judgment, ruled that Nigeria’s ban on Twitter, a microblogging platform, was unlawful and inconsistent with the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The judgment, which was handed down on Thursday, stated that the act of the Federal Government of Nigeria suspending the operation of twitter violated the applicant’s rights to the enjoyment of freedom of expression and access to information and media contrary to International and Regional Laws.

A lawyer for Robert F Kennedy Human Rights Organisation, Ikechukwu Uzoma, who was an amicus curiae to the case, stated on his Twitter handle that the Court further ordered President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to guarantee the non-repetition of the unlawful ban of Twitter and undertake legislative or other measures on the use of Twitter to enable the enjoy the freedom of expression.

“ECOWAS Court in a strong judgment finds that the Nigerian Twitter ban was unlawful and inconsistent with the African Charter and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The court held “the act of Nigeria suspending the operation of twitter violated the applicant’s rights to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and media contrary to International and Regional Laws.

“The ECOWAS Court ordered the Nigerian Government to take necessary steps and measures to give effect to the rights and freedoms protected by the African Charter and the International Covenants. The Court further ordered President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to guarantee the non-repetition of the unlawful ban of Twitter and undertake legislative or other measures on the use of Twitter to enable the enjoy the freedom of expression. The Court finally ordered the Federal Government to pay the cost incurred by the applicants in the proceedings. A great day for human rights, promotion of civic space and digital rights,” he said.


The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and 196 others, Media Rights Agency and 8 others, Malcolm Omirhobo, and Patrick Elohor had filed suits at the ECOWAS court last year, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria, challenging the action of President Buhari in banning Twitter in the country.

However, the Court made an order consolidating all the four cases marked as ECW/CCJ/APP/23/21, ECW/CCJ/APP/29/21, ECW/CCJ/APP/24/21, and ECW/CCJ/APP/26/21.

There were also two groups seeking to be admitted as amicus curiae in the matter. The first group was the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Organisation and represented by their lawyer, Mr Uzoma, and the second group was made up of Amnesty International, Access Now, and Electronic Frontier Foundation and was represented by their lawyer, Deji Ajare.

The counsel for the federal government, Abdullahi Abubakar, was opposed to the applications, stating that he had already filed a counter-affidavit to the application of the first amicus curiae and was just receiving the application of the second amici curiae. An amicus curiae is not a party in a case but a friend of the court that assists the court by offering expertise and insight on the issues in the case.

The federal government had announced the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria on June 4, 2021, after the micro-blogging platform deleted a post by President Buhari for a “violation of the company’s abusive behaviour policy.” On June 5, 2021, the suspension was effected by telecommunications companies but after 222 days, the FG lifted the ban and according to the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool, Nigeria lost N104.02 million ($250,600) every hour to the ban, bringing the daily losses to N2.46 billion

ejimatic:
He is a sub committe member not a member of NWC. A subcommittee member is not an executive office. A similar case if I am not mistaken has been decided in favour of the APC Buni NWC. This case is just a waste of time and an academic exercise and will be decided in favour of the respondent, Oyetola.
garfield1 vicdom kahal29 penguin2 indispensable85 Ojuntana Mynd44

fergie001:
No chance......I think the SC settled this already.

Abdul05:
A won eyon rada rada instead of him to step down for tinubu ..

WATCHOVER:
And you believe this story? Don't tell me that you're one of those names you just called Fayose?

Ibrahim Kabir Masari, the running mate to the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has withdrawn from the race.

Masari who made the disclosure in a press statement stated that he believes he can still serveAPC and the country in several other capacities

The statement reads, “This is to inform our esteemed party leaders under our able President Muhammadu Buhari, teeming party members and the great people of Nigeria, of the outcome of a crucial discussion I just had with the flag-bearer of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Recall that I had the singular honour and privilege of being nominated as the running-mate to Asiwaju Tinubu last month after a keenly contested presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“But, after much reflection and wider consultations, I now wish to step down. I realized that my decision will enable Asiwaju have more latitude to give more accommodation and inclusion that will position our party to win the coming elections, with the support of the people of Nigeria.

“In stepping down, I believe I can still serve our party and the country in several other capacities.

“I wish to confirm that I have submitted my withdrawal letter and affidavit to that effect as the Vice Presidential Candidate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed TInubu in the coming elections.

On behalf of myself and family, I wish to sincerely thank Asiwaju Tinubu — the Incoming President, Insha Allah — for his trust in me and we promise to remain steadfast in our support for him and the party.

Meanwhile, the Interim National Coordinator of Bola Tinubu Campaign Organization, Honorable James Faleke, has confirmed Masari’ withdrawal as Tinubu’s running-mate.

Faleke’s words, “This is to inform and confirm that Alhaji Ibrahim Masari has stepped down as Vice Presidential nominee to the flag-bearer of APC in the 2023 presidential elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Alhaji Masari has communicated his decision to us from Saudi Arabia where he is presently performing the lesser hajj.

While saluting Alhaji Masari’s sacrifice, we believe this will give Asiwaju Tinubu an opportunity to take a decision that will further enhance the chances of our great party in the 2023 elections”.

Tflex01:
I can't say much about the North, but anybody that tell you that Muslim-Muslim ticket will reduce Tinubu's chances in the South West is just being clownish. Tinubu has the Christians on lockdown here.

Kyase:
Lol
I just don’t like it, Tinubu is not carrying us along

garfield1:
Why do you reason like this? Do you mean well for apc? Rufai that is hated by Christians and southerners

Kyase:
and shetima will ?

Kyase:
I prefer el Rufai to shetimma

PS712:
If you read in between the lines it points clearly towards El rufai.

garfield1:
At least a million votes in borno

Kyase:
Shettima?
Wonders shall never End
Let me see how Tinubu will campaign

garfield1:
I'll have preferred zulum

Ddeliverer007:
Tinubu might choose kwankwoso

Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 2023 presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decided on his choice of running mate.

A highly-competent source in the Tinubu Campaign Organisation who requested anonymity confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

The source said Tinubu would make the name of the candidate public this week.

“The vice-presidential nominee may most likely be a former governor and senator from the Northeast part of Nigeria.

“The person is also by accident of birth a Muslim, confirming what Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State said on Saturday that Tinubu had settled for a Muslim-Muslim ticket,’’ the source said.

The source added that in picking the running mate, Tinubu was not thinking about religion, but about competence, exposure and intellectual depth of the candidate.

“The considerations given for the choice of a running mate were dictated by the need to choose an individual capable of working with the presidential candidate to take Nigeria to greater heights,’’ the source said.

Tinubu is scheduled to pay Sallah homage to President Muhammadu Buhari in Daura, Katsina, on Sunday to brief him on his chosen running mate.

The former two-term Lagos State governor won APC’s presidential ticket at the party’s June 8 special national convention and presidential primary election.

He earlier chose Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, as placeholder for the vice-presidential slot.

Tinubu was away in France from June 27 on a short vacation during which he held some strategic meetings. He returned to Nigeria on Saturday early enough for Sallah festivities.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has reiterated its resolve not to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 poll following indications that he will run with a Muslim-Muslim ticket.

Sunday Vanguard gathered last night that party leaders will use the Sallah holidays to iron out the issue and come up with a position next week.

With time running out, sources told Sunday Vanguard that Tinubu might be stuck with Alhaji Kabiru Masari as his running mate following a court order restraining APC and Tinubu from substituting him.

A day to June 17 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for parties to submit the names of their presidential and vice presidential candidates, the APC submitted Masari’s name as a placeholder.

Tinubu has uptil July 15 to make the substitution.

Tinubu and Masari are Muslims.

Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday said that Tinubu had agreed to pick a Muslim vice-presidential candidate.

He made the comment during a gathering of no fewer than 100 clerics at the Kano State Government House as part of activities to mark Eidel Kabir.

“We have advised him to pick a Muslim deputy and he has agreed. A Muslim-Muslim ticket is a reality. It is not something new in Nigeria,” Ganduje said.

He asked the clerics to pray for Tinubu to emerge as Nigeria’s president in 2023.

CAN kicks

Reacting to the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Elder Biodun Sanyaolu, Assistant General Secretary, CAN, condemned the act, saying the move would not be supported by members.

On whether Tinubu has reached out to the association, Sanyaolu, “Not yet, CAN has made it’s position known that Muslim-Muslim ticket will not be supported even Christian-Christian ticket.

“It is not about Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket it is the mistrust existing in us for the last seven years which has been so terrible even with Nigeria inter-Religious Council, NIREC.

“All we are saying and want is the leader that will do well to everyone, irrespective of class, religion, sex, region, colour, among others.

“All we are craving for is a leader that will be fair to all Christians, Muslims and evan Traditionalists.Poverty doesn’t know religion.

“If there is a bomb blast it will kill whoever is on its way not minding religion. We want good leadership that will be fair to all and good governance in Nigeria.”

Speaking on whether the association will listen to APC when campaign starts, Sanyaolu said: “If he comes, we will welcome him and take a look at what they have for Nigerians and the public.”

No cause for alarm — Tunde Rahman

Also reacting to the the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Media Aide to Tinubu, Mr.Tunde Rahman, said: “Why don’t you wait for him (Tinubu) to announce his plans? What if he opts for Muslim-Christian ticket in the end?

“He is a God-fearing man and a detribalised Nigerian, he will be fair to all, there is no cause for the alarm.”

A group, under the umbrella of Ambassador of Christ, expressed the fear that If Nigeria is conquered by the Islamic extrmists or continue the way it is going, “even, those choice investments like schools, farms, hotels, estates, radio stations, among others that our Christian brothers have sold us to get money and build shall be taken away from them either forcefully or using kangaroo arm of government like EFFC, ICPC, and new ones that may emerge.

“As a natter of conscience, should not the Christian Governors unite the Christians in Nigeria to ensure at least power rotation between Christians and Muslims at the Federal Level?

“Should Christians allow the people of the other faith to dominate them in the armed forces?”

The terrorists that attacked the Abuja-Kaduna bound AK9 train on March, 28 have released another set of seven hostages in their custody after more than 100 days in captivity at the forest, The PUNCH reports.

Malam Tukur Mamu, one of the negotiators and Media Consultant to controversial Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, who disclosed this, said through his singular efforts, he successfully negotiated the release of “another seven victims.”


Details later…

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has reiterated its resolve not to support the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidates, Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 general poll as strong indications emerged to contest on Muslim-Muslim ticket.

This came as all stakeholders, especially in the North, in a give and take basis have settled to pick a unanimous particular person, likely to be a Muslim to be officialy announced soon.

Also, in what seemed to be a political Tsunami underway in Nigeria following a closed-door meeting by Governors Kayode Fayemi, Rotimi Akeredolu and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos, respectively with Rivers State Governor, Nyeson Wike In his private residence In Rivers at the weekend.

Former Governor Of Ekiti State Ayodele Fayose, a close confidant of Governor Wike was also in attendance.

Reacting to the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Elder Biodun Sanyaolu, Assistant General Secretary, CAN, condemned the act, saying the move would not be supported by members.

On whether Tinubu has reached out to the association, Sanyaolu, “Not yet, CAN has made it’s position known that Muslim-Muslim ticket will not be supported even Christian-Christian ticket either.

“It is not about Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket it is the mistrust existing in us for the last seven years which have been so terrible even with Nigeria inter-Religious Council, NIREC.

“All we are saying and want is the leader that will do well to everyone, irrespective of class, religion, sex, region, colour, among others.

“All we are craving for is a leader that will be fair to all Christians, Muslims and evan Traditionalists.Poverty doesn’t know religion.

“If there is a bomb blast it will kill whoever on its way not minding religion. We want good leadership that will be fair to all and good governance in Nigeria.”

Speaking on whether the association will listen to APC when campaign starts, Sanyaolu said, “If he comes, we will welcome him and take a look at what they have for Nigerians and the public.”

Also reacting to the the Muslim-Muslim ticket, media aide to Tinubu, Mr.Tunde Ramon, simply said. “Why do you wait for him (Tinubu) to announce his plans? What if he opts for Muslim-Christian ticket in the end?

“He is a God fearing man and detribalised Nigerian, he will be fair to all, there is no cause for the alarm.”

According to a group, under the umbrella, Ambassador of the Christ, it expressed the fear that If Nigeria is conquered by the Islamic Extrmists or continue the way it is going, “even, those choice investments like schools, farms, hotels, estates, radio stations, among others that our Christian brothers have sold us to get money and build shall be taken away from them either forcefully or using kangaroo arm of government like EFFC, ICPC, and new ones that may emerge.

“Matter of conscience, should not the Christian Governors unite the Christians in Nigeria to ensure at least power rotation between Christians and Muslims at the Federal Level?

“Should Christians allow the people of the other faith to dominate them in the armed forces.?”

Recall, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday said APC presidential candidate, Tinubu, has agreed to pick a Muslim vice-presidential candidate.

He made the comment during a gathering of about 100 clerics at the Kano state government house as part of activities to mark Eid El Kabir.

“We have advised him to pick a Muslim deputy and he has agreed.

“A Muslim-Muslim ticket is a reality. It is not something new in Nigeria,” Ganduje said.

He asked the clerics to pray for Tinubu to emerge as Nigeria’s president come 2023.

He also urged them to offer prayers for his administration’s peace and progress.

Ganduje asked the clerics to pray for his Deputy Governor, Yusuf Gawuna, who emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Kano State for 2023 elections.

fergie001:
Look at what I am saying....Oborevwori has not even submitted his documents to INEC. The one that was taken to Court was the one he submitted to the PDP Screening Committee to vie for the Guber. It should have been after it was submitted to INEC not before.

fergie001:
Yes.
Presidential election is February, Guber is in March.
Governorship deadline is July 15.
https://thenationonlineng.net/inec-insists-on-july-15-deadline-for-submission-of-governorship-assembly-candidates-list/amp/

Comrade Ayuba Wabba, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in this interview, says that workers have recovered the Labour Party and have activated their political commission in all the 36 states of the country in preparation for the 2023 general elections. He says that some bad elements in the party will be voted out.

On the role Nigerian workers will play to ensure that they participate in electing the next President

First is that workers are now being conscientised to actively participate in this democratic dispensation by voting credible persons and leaders in all offices because the problem of Nigeria had been actually the challenge of leadership. And we thought that having gone through this route, we have yet an opportunity to also elect leaders and labour is playing a very critical role by sensitizing our members at all levels. You remember we started with the NLC political summit where we brought about 3,000 workers from all our affiliates and we’re able to discuss issues. We came up with the Workers Charter of Demand which is to actually formulate our engagement policy with politicians. But importantly also, we have been able to recover the Labour Party, and the Labour Party is actually working assiduously to sensitize workers. We’ve activated our political commission in all the states and we’re working now towards the local government and ward levels.

Ultimately, we want every worker to participate actively. You are also aware of the fact that we’ve directed our workers to get their PVCs for those that don’t have them and you can see the surge that is happening now with people trooping out to register for the PVC. We are also aligning with the youths because whether you like it or not the youths have been at the receiving end. Today, university students have not been in school for the past four months. Not only that, youths unemployment is extremely high and basically they’ve been at the receiving end. So, we’re trying to bring new impetus into the discussion about how to fix Nigeria and we cannot do that in isolation without people participating. They say democracy is government of the people by the people, and for the people, that’s what Abraham Lincoln propounded. In the definition of democracy, ‘people’ appeared three times. That’s why we’re promoting a party that also recognizes the centrality of people.

It is only Labour Party that has as its logo, the family, father, mother, and child. Others are having objects, and different things.

Some members of NLC are contesting under the platform of other parties, why not LP?

Simple, I’ve told you clearly, the parties are mere platforms. In all the parties you have the good, the bad, and ugly. I give an example of an ugly person who after losing primaries of four parties got a ticket of Labour Party through the backdoor. So, what we are looking at is the face of the person, not the party. Don’t be deceived. Workers will not be deceived by only looking at the platform of a party. Even in Labour party, if we have a bad candidate, we will say, this is a bad product, we’re not going to vote for him

Are you not bothered that they will go to other parties?

They can go to other parties. What is the problem with that? If you’re denied a platform here to be able to exercise your political right, you should be able to use any other platform and we’ll support you. We’ll support you on the basis of your credibility, pedigree, what you have been able to achieve, and your manifesto.

If the Labour Party is meant for the workers, why can’t the NLC scrutinize those coming to contest on the party’s platform to make sure that such persons don’t bring bad names to the party?

There are two issues, the structure of the Labour Party is different from the structure of the NLC, don’t mix the two. The Labour Party is a party registered by the NLC promoted by the NLC and the working people, but we don’t micromanage the party. So, if there are mistakes that the party made without knowing the background details of somebody, and a ticket was given to somebody wrongly like in the case of Adamawa, we should be able to say so clearly but NLC will not go and micromanage the party.

There are rules to manage a political party. The party has a chairman, secretary, executive, etc. Some union leaders are part of the executive but we cannot go and micromanage. There is no way we will know everything the party is doing at a particular time.

Statutorily, NLC and TUC are members of the Central Working Committee and the National Executive Council of the party. Statutorily by law and therefore we have members that are there including also our representatives. But they cannot micromanage and know the identity of everybody because it’s too large, 774 local governments, 36 states, it’s not possible for us to know everybody but where we identify such we’ll be able to correct it at every point in time.

fergie001:
Politicians and lies are inseparable.
I think the guy will escape on appeal, @ least on this case.

fergie001:
garfield1 vicdom kahal29 penguin2 indispensable85 ejimatic Ojuntana kyase peacecore

Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has said that popular Pastor, Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, who is also known as Odumeje will pay for the cost of demolishing his church.

Soludo sho spoke on Friday night said there were several notices sent to all house owners, whose houses were marked for demolition, and that they were all served notices, and asked to remove such structures.

Soludo also said that two parishes of the Catholic church were still waiting for demolition.

“It is costing us money. They had several notices to remove such structures, but they refused.

“The demolition started yesterday (Thursday), and so far so good. The demolition went well, except for Pastor Odumeje, who according to the report drove in, in a brazen manner and attempted to take over the equipment.

“Of course, state work must go on, and security had to stop him. This was a man who was in several meetings we had, and also spoke.

“Infact, this is costing us money, and the structures should have been removed before now, but they choose to test the resolve of government.

“Once we are done with this exercise, we will compile the bills and send to the persons involved, and they must pay.”

Soludo said two Catholic parishes involved in the illegal structures demolition are St Dominic Catholic church and Our Lady Queen Catholic church.

He stated that the parish priest of Our Lady Queen Catholic Parish was around when the demolition team visited, and even cooperated, and also granted an interview.

He regretted that Pastor Odumeje took laws into his hands and attempted to stop the exercise.