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Buhari Backs Pantami, Rebuffs ‘Smear’ Campaign

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Buhari Pantami

The Presidency has dismissed what it Thursday described as a smear campaign against the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, saying the Buhari administration stands behind all Nigerians including the minister against unfair treatment.

Reacting to calls in some quarters for Pantami to resign over his utterances over 20 years ago, Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s spokesman, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, described such calls as unfortunate.

According to him, it is unfair and unfortunate for anyone to seek for the downfall of a hard working public servant due to statement he/she made in the past even after such statement had been rejected by the affected person.

He said: ”Today, there is an unfortunate fashion in public discourse that makes leaders in politics, religion, and civil society liable in the present for every statement they have ever made in the past – no matter how long ago, and even after they have later rejected them.

”This insidious phenomenon seeks to cancel the careers of others on the  basis of a thing they have said, regardless of when they said it.

”The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami is, currently, subject to a “cancel campaign” instigated by those who seek his removal.

”They do not really care what he may or may not have said some 20 years ago: that is merely the instrument they are using to attempt to “cancel” him.

”But they will profit should he be stopped from making decisions that improve the lives of everyday Nigerians.

”The Minister has, rightly, apologized for what he said in the early 2000s.

”The views were absolutely unacceptable then, and would be equally unacceptable today, were he to repeat them.

”But he will not repeat them – for he has publicly and permanently condemned his earlier utterances as wrong.”

According to the presidential aide, in the 2000s, the minister was a man in his twenties; next year he will be 50, adding that time has passed, and people and their opinions – often rightly – change.

Shehu posited that Pantami was deliberately being attacked to rubbish the achievements of the Buhari administration in the ICT sector.

He, however, reiterated the commitment of the Buhari administration to improving the lives of all Nigerians.

He also listed the achievements of Pantami in the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy in the past two and the half years.

”This Administration is committed to improving the lives of all Nigerians – and that includes ensuring they are not over-charged or under-protected for those services on which modern life depends.

”The Minister has been leading the charge against illegal data deductions and pricing.

”He has revolutionized the government’s virtual public engagement to respond to COVID-19 and save taxpayers’ money.

”He has established ICT start-up centres to boost youth entrepreneurship and create jobs.

”He has changed policy to ensure locally produced ICT content is used by ministries, starting with his own; and he has deregistered some 9.2 million SIMs – ending the ability for criminals and terrorists to flagrantly use mobile networks undetected.

”In two short years, Minister Pantami has driven the contribution of the ICT sector to the GDP to more than 18 percent, making it one of the top two playing a critical role in the emergence of the economy from the COVID 19-induced recession,” he said.

He further noted that Pantami and the Buhari administration had made enemies for putting people first in all their dealings

Shehu said: ”The minister and this administration have made enemies. There are those in the opposition who see success and want it halted by any means.

”And there is now well-reported information that alleges newspaper editors rebuffed an attempt to financially induce them to run a smear campaign against the minister by some ICT companies, many of which do indeed stand to lose financially through lower prices and greater consumer protections.

”The government is now investigating the veracity behind these claims of attempted inducement, and – should they be found to hold credence – police and judicial action must be expected.

”The Administration stands behind Minister Pantami and all Nigerian citizens to ensure they receive fair treatment, fair prices, and fair protection in ICT services,” he added. (NAN)

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Buhari Congratulates Tinubu On His 72nd Birthday

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Buhari Congratulates Tinubu on his 72nd birthday

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has extended birthday greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wishing him good health and long life in order for the country to benefit from his “excellent leadership.”

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In a message to mark the 72 birthday of the President, Muhammadu Buhari commended Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for making “sustained efforts to overcome the many problems of the country,” while wishing him many happy returns of the day.

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“My family and I pray to God that you remain healthy and happy and continue to work for the betterment of the country. Happy birthday to you!” he said.

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More Drama At Kogi Guber Tribunal As SDP Witness Testifies

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Kogi SDP witness

The testimony of a witness of the Social Democratic Party at the Election Petition Tribunal on the Kogi State governorship election went awry, on Thursday as the witness’ statement before the Tribunal contradicted the documents submitted.

The petitioners had delved away from BVAS, after their star witness claimed he was not in Kogi State during the said election, and alleged that the All Progressives Congress candidate, now the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, forged his age declaration affidavit.

The witness, one Dan Musa Williams from the FCT High Court, in Abuja, who had said the document did not emanate from the Court, upon cross examination, could not substantiate his claims.

When asked whether he checked the record of the registry to ascertain that it was a forged document, he said he just looked at the date, being a Saturday and concluded that it could not have been from them.

It was, however, found that the “declaration of age” affidavit was sworn in Okene, Kogi State, and not in FCT, but the witness claimed that a lawyer forwarded the one he was talking about to him.

Confusion, however, set in when the witness claimed that he also concluded that the affidavit submitted by the APC candidate was fake because it did not have the name and picture of the deponent on it.

At this point, the attention of the SDP witness was drawn to the fact that the affidavit with INEC, which he also annexed, had both the picture of the deponent and name, and that it was sworn in Okene and not FCT.

The contradictions between what the witness said in court and the documents he (the same witness) presented to the court, seemed to have damaged his testimony beyond repair, as he could not give further defence after the discrepancies were pointed out.

Sitting was thereby adjourned to March 30, 2024 for continuation of hearing.

Pius Akubo, SAN, represented the petitioners, while Kanu Agabi SAN, JB Daudu SAN, and DC Denwigwe SAN represented the Respondents.

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Forgery: Senator To Be Kept In Kuje Pending Bail Perfection

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Senator Benson forgery

A High Court of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday ruled that Senator Benson Konbowei (PDP Bayelsa) be remanded in Kuje Prison pending the perfection of the N50m bail bond over a forgery case filed against him.

Konbowei, who represents  Bayelsa Central Senatorial, was earlier arraigned on a three – count charge bordering on forging the National Youth Service Corps exemption certificate among others.

The counsel for the police, Mr Reuben Egwaba, had opposed the bail application for the defendant.

He noted that the defendant would interfere with his trial if granted bail.

“While the charge was filed, the defendant took several steps to interfere with the matter.

” He also wrote a lot of petitions against me to truncate the matter. We urge my lord to refuse the application” he urged the court.

The counsel for the defendant, Mr Gordy Uche , SAN urged the court to grant his client bail, assuring the court he would not jump bail if granted one.

Ruling on the bail application, the trial judge, Justice Christopher Oba, said the defendant must provide two sureties in the like sum who must have a landed properties in the Federal Capital Territory.

Oba said the Certificate of Ownership (C of O) of the sureties must be confirmed to be authentic.

He, however, ordered that the senator be remanded in Kuje correctional facility pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

“The law is settled that bail is at the discretion of the court. Taking a look at the matter it is not a capital offence.

The judge then declined an oral application moved by the defendant’s lawyer to write an undertaken to produce the senator in court till he perfects his bail.

He subsequently, adjourned the matter until June 24, for hearing.

Earlier, a former senator Moses Cleopas, while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel admitted to writing the defendant’s primary school and discovered some inconsistency in his certificate.

Egwaba sought to tender the letter and the response as exhibits, but the defendant’s lawyer objected.

” This document is not relevant to the charges preferred against the defendant. Count one deals with fraudulent forgery of the exemption certificate.

” There was nowhere his first school leaving certificate was mentioned. Sections 4, 5 7, and 9 of the Evidence Act have settled this. Also, these documents were not signed and not dated.

” An unsigned document is worthless in law. It doesn’t pass the test of admissibility. It also has no name of the officer who signed it. It contains no evidence that any money was paid to get the certified copies of the documents” he told court.

But Egwaba said the documents set to be tendered were a response to a letter the former senator wrote.

“There are original copies of a letter addressed to Moses, a private individual. A letter issued from a public office to an individual cannot be certified. A photocopy can be tendered if the foundation is laid for it.

”Attached to the letter were private documents. It does not need to be certified. Count three is relevant to the document we seek to tender. He lied on oath to INEC.

” Also, the primary school certificate was frontloaded in their process and also included in their proof of evidence. We will amend our charges. We urged me to discount his objections. This document shows that he is a serial forger” he told the court.

The trial judge overruled Uche and admitted the documents as exhibits. (NAN)

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Labour Party Denies Existence Of BoT, Says Ejiofor, Ajaero Not Financial Members

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Labour Party BoT

The Julius Abure led tendency in Labour Party has dismissed the takeover of the leadership of the party by the Board of Trustees, BoT as amusing saying that the party does not have a functional body as such described.

Reacting to the takeover announcement as convened by Comrade SOZ Ejiofor, the first chairman of the party who described himself as the chairman of the BoT in the takeover announcement on Wednesday, the Abure leadership said that Ejiofor has no evidence of membership of the party.

In the statement issued by Obiorah Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary, the Abure tendency also accused the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero of fueling the crisis in the party despite not having a membership card of the party.

The statement read in part:

While noting the success of its convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, the party said:

“Despite this huge success, It came to the leadership of the party as a huge surprise of a statement trending in the social media purportedly from one Comrade SOZ Ejiofor on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the party claiming that he has taken over the leadership of the party.

“Amusing as that will sound, but with the greatest respect to the former leader of the party, we sympathise with the Comrade who has since left the political scene more than a decade ago only to be energized, briefed and drafted into this unnecessary tussle by the disgruntled elements in the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC.

“First, ever since Ejiofor stepped down as the first National chairman of the Labour Party over two decades ago, he has neither attended any meeting or played any noticeable role as a member of the party. He is not even known in his ward and has not paid a single dime as membership dues which qualifies him as a member. It is surprising therefore that after he was “visited” by some leaders of NLC, he suddenly woke up from his slumber.

“The point here is that the Labour Party is not aware of the existence of any Board of Trustees. Recall that NLC has continued to propose for the reconstitution of the BoT as well as the convocation of the National Convention. Over 90 percent of persons being suggested to form membership of the proposed BoT have since left the party to join other political parties, some even contested various political positions on the platform of other political parties while some others featured prominently in the presidential campaigns of the other political parties even when Labour Party equally featured a candidate in the 2023 general election.

“This is what desperation in the ranks of the NLC can cause. Why not let the man enjoy his retirement, why drag him into your mess. Let Comrade Ejiofor show evidence of one meeting he convened in the last one decade of his so-called BoT.

“Enough of all these political muscle flexing, Barrister Julius Abure has just been elected by the convention for the first time as the National Chairman of the Labour Party, we urge our detractors to please sheathe the sword and join us to salvage the nation.”

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Tension As Ningi Gives Akpabio 7-Day-Ultimatum To Revoke ‘Illegal’ Suspension

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Ningi give Apkabio 7-day-ultimatum to revoke his suspension

Suspended Bauchi lawmaker, Senator Abdul Ningi has given the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, a seven-day ultimatum to revoke his suspension from the upper legislative chamber.

In a letter dated March 27 and addressed to Akpabio through his counsel, Femi Falana, Ningi said he would approach a federal high court for his reinstatement if the suspension is not revoked within seven days.

Recall that GWG.ng earlier reported that Ningi was suspended for three months after he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by N3 trillion.

Godswill Akpabio said Ningi’s accusation will cause many Nigerians to lose trust in the upper legislative chamber.

In his letter challenging his suspension, Ningi described his suspension as “unconstitutional and illegal”. The senator’s lawyer said though Akpabio was indicted in the budget padding allegation, he presided over the proceedings of the senate that suspended Ningi.

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“It is on record that you were the accuser, the prosecutor and the judge in your own case in utter violation of the provisions of section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” the letter reads. 

“Apart from violating our client’s fundamental right to a fair hearing, the Senate violated the right of the entire people of the Bauchi Central Senatorial District to representation in the Senate for three months. 

“This is a breach of section 111 of the Constitution and article 13 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Act.”

The letter further stated, “As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court had struck down the suspension of some members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who had accused the leadership of both houses of corruption or abuse of office.

“Specifically, the court declared the suspension of the affected legislators illegal and unconstitutional. 

“As a senior lawyer, you ought to have drawn the attention of the members of the Senate to these decisions and several others where the high courts of some states and the Court of Appeal have held that no parliament in Nigeria has the power to suspend or expel a legislator.

“In view of the foregoing, you will agree with us that the suspension of Senator Ningi and the denial of his entitlements are illegal and unconstitutional in every material particular. “We are compelled to request you to ensure that the said suspension is lifted forthwith.”

Ningi warned of approaching the Federal High Court if Apkabio refuses to grant his request.

“However, if you fail to accede to our request within seven days of the receipt of this letter, we shall not hesitate to pray the Federal High Court for the reinstatement of our client. 

“We shall equally report you to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for treating the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disdain,” the letter stated.

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More Problems As INEC Rejects Labour Party Convention

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INEC Rejects national convention of LP

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disassociated itself from the Labour Party (LP) National Convention held in Nnewi, Anambra state on Wednesday.

Sources in INEC electoral body claim that the commission was not involved in the convention hence, cannot acknowledge it.

GWG.ng earlier reported that the embattled chairman of the party, Julius Abure, was re-elected as chairman of the party during the Nnewi convention.

Speaking to newsmen before the convention, the LP National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, claimed the party executive had duly informed INEC about the change in venue and date.

“No, it is holding in Anambra. Nnewi to be precise, not Umuahia in Abia State again. In fact, Umuahia was not even the first venue we chose.

“Benin was the first choice before we changed to Umuahia and now Nnewi. So, we are at liberty to pick any venue of our choice. We only need to inform INEC about the change in venue and the time” Edun said.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 states that political parties shall give INEC at least 21 days’ notice of convention, congress, conference or meeting.

This includes the convention or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, and other governing bodies or nominating candidates.

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Six Prominent Lawmakers Resign From Labour Party

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Six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly elected under the platform of the Labour Party, LP, have taken the decision to resign from the party and at the same time defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

They announced their defection during the Assembly’s plenary on Thursday.

According to the defectors, their defection is as a result of the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the labour party at the national level and across all the state chapters.”

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/lis-of-countries-with-the-lowest-salary-incomes/

They claimed that, “regrettably, the party has evolved into state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

“The Labour party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas have regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of electorates.”

They cited the cases of Abure and Apapa factions, as well as the national treasurer and their parent body, NLC as some of the divisions within the party.

https://gwg.ng/2024/03/28/breaking-binance-executives-drag-nsa-efcc-to-court/

They expressed hope that the PDP will give them the platform to continue to serve the interests of their people and thanked the leaderships of Labour Party for their supports.

The defectors who decided to resign from Labour Party include the Chief Whip of the House and member representing Igboeze North I, Hon. Ejike Eze; the leader of the House and member representing Enugu North, Hon. Johnson Ugwu and the member representing Enugu South Rural, Hon. Princess Ugwu.

Others are: member representing Nsukka East, Hon. Pius Ezeugwu, member representing Igbo-Etiti West, Hon. Amuka Williams and member representing Oji River, Hon Osita Eze.

The motion for their defection to be accepted was moved by Rt. Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu and was seconded by Rt. Hon. Jane Eneh.

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Cameroon Re-Elects 89-Year-Old Marcel Niat Njifenji, As Senate President

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owgUQPwTlRI?si=QfS0i4RqBVIYIQZS

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https://gwg.ng/2024/03/27/19-year-old-teenager-allegedly-kills-parents-brother-in-knife-attack/

 

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Wike’s Men Mum As Fubara Garners More Support In Rivers

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Fubara Garners More Support in Rivers

Amidst the ongoing conflict between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and his Godfather, Nyesom Wike, a family support group in the state has pledged support for the governor.

GWG.ng reports that the Family Support Group, which is an assemblage of Rivers youths, women and men drawn from the three senatorial districts and 23 local government areas, on Wednesday, declared their support for the governor while they were on a solidarity visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt. 

This was also disclosed in a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi.

According to the statement, the group was received on Fubara’s behalf by the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.

Governor Fubara said, “The whole land of Rivers State stands in affirmation that we won the election fairly, and deserve to serve out our full tenure. There is not going to be anything that will cut short the popular mandate that you all gave to this administration.”

Nwaeke said he recalled that just  within weeks of assuming office, Fubara flagged off the Port Harcourt Ring Road project “that will transverse six local governments.” 

He said though the project was meant to be within 36 months, the delivery day might even be shorter “because the progress of work we have seen is beyond what we were thinking.”

“The Trans-Kalabari Kalabari Road, very soon, the official main Trans-Kalabari Road will start and will begin from Port Harcourt. That road, a lot of plans have been done, very soon, you will see contractors on site, and Rivers State will be opened.

 “Just yesterday, you heard in the news also that the governor has commenced the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road. That road was initially done with one lane, but now, he is going to dualise it. The government has already awarded the contract,” he added.

 Nwaeke urged the people of Rivers State to continue to defend Fubara. Remain unshakable. Keep your word of defending him at all times.

“When you hear anything outside, be bold, defend the governor, and tell the people the things you know about him. Tell them what you know he has done to develop the state and the people,” he added.

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In his address, the President General of Family Support Group, Mr Henry Abraham, recalled that during the 2023 elections, they were encouraged to vote and defend their votes because the process was violence-free and credible.

Abraham said, “When we defend our votes, we will also defend the man we voted for. We are a Family Support Group, Rivers State belongs to all of us. Rivers State is not a personal estate of one man, it’s for all Rivers people.

“Sir Siminalayi Fubara, stand firm. The Family Support Group is with you. All the wards’ coordinators are with you. All the wards’ executives are with you. All the LGA coordinators are with you. All the officers of the National Executive Committee are with you. All our leaders are with you, and the PDP is with you.”

Consequently, the governor vowed to do everything legally to improve and protect the collective aspirations of the people, saying he deserved to serve out his tenure.

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