Headlines
Desperate to Stave Off Mass Defection, Buhari Meets 22 Aggrieved APC Senators
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, met with 22 angry senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to stop their planned defection. The meeting was held at the Council Chambers of State House, Abuja.
The affected senators included Smart Adeyemi, Frank Ibezim, Danladi Sankara, and Ibrahim Oloriegbe. They were led to the meeting by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu.
The president noted the concerns of the senators, who failed to secure the party’s return ticket to the Red Chamber. He said their exit would affect the future of the ruling party, saying, however, that he praised the senators’ effort to find a solution.
The president assured them that as the leader of the party, part of his role was to create the environment for members to ventilate their grievances.
Emphasising that there must be a winner and loser in any contest, Buhari revealed that he had been inundated with complaints over the primaries, assuring that he would continue to address the challenges through the party machinery.
Urging party members to exercise restraint, as justice would be done, the president told the senators, “I thank you for the decision to approach me with your concerns over the future of the party and for pursuing solutions approach for the challenges thrown up by the recent election-related activities particularly, the primaries.
“As the leader of the party, one of my primary role is to ensure that our culture of internal democracy and dispute resolution is strengthened by creating the opportunity for members to ventilate their opinions, views and grievances at different levels.
“Notwithstanding the fact that we have accomplished 23 years of an uninterrupted democratic governance, our journey is still in a nascent stage and we continue to learn from our challenges and mistakes.
“Similarly, our party is still evolving in its culture and practice and it is my expectation and hope that we should attain a mature level in our internal conduct.
“I have noted your grievances, particularly, as it concerns the just concluded processes, the cost to the nation, the threat to the majority position held by our party in the legislative chambers, and likely consequent causes to the electoral fortunes of the party as we approach the general election. We must not allow these dire threats to come to pass.
“I must acknowledge that in every contest, there must be a level-playing ground, just as there would be grievances at the end. That is the test of our democratic credentials, systems and practices.
“I have since the conclusion of the process been inundated with various reports and complaints. In keeping with our ethos, therefore, I shall continue to address the ensuing challenges and grievances through the party machinery while paying keen attention to the outcomes.
“I must also remind you of the primacy of justice in all our actions. If justice is denied, its outcome is usually unpleasant. This is because you, the members, keep the party running.
“I should add that as part of the policy of using the party machinery for effective resolutions of conflict, the chairman and some members of the National Working Committee visited the National Assembly recently to dialogue with our legislators.
“The leadership of the party is currently addressing the outcomes as part of the way forward. I am encouraging all the party functionaries to adhere to the truth and to be fair to all parties in any dispute. This is important because our strength and victory in the election lies in the unity of the party and our ability to prevent or heal any injustice perceived unfair.
“I urge you and all party members to exercise restraint and continue to demonstrate commitment to the ideals while we continue to build and develop the party and the country.
“Finally, Let me assure you that justice shall prevail, aggrieved members shall be assuaged in the interest of the party and the nation shall be protected.”
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Senate Chief Whip, Kalu, said at least 22 senators and members of the party were unhappy with the outcome of the primaries in their states, noting that they felt disenfranchised by the process.
He said the legislators had made sacrifices for the growth of the party and democracy in the country, and asked for the president’s intervention.
Responding, Kalu stated, “Mr President, in the Senate, we have worked hard and consistently sold your programmes beyond party lines. Be assured always of our support.”
In a statement after the meeting, Kalu said the lawmakers told Buhari that they were disenfranchised by the process of the primary and that Buhari urged them to exercise restraint and change their decision to defect from the party.
He said, “The aggrieved senators would no longer pursue their defection plans from the APC. Our meeting with Mr President was successful and the issue of defection from our party has been laid to rest.”
No fewer than six APC senators, including the Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, had dumped the party, citing poor internal politics during its recent primary elections.
The Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Rep. Aliyu Betara (APC-Borno), has congratulated the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on his emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year.
Betara, in a congratulatory message issued in Abuja, eulogised the leadership virtue and dedication of the minister to infrastructural development in the territory.
The lawmaker, representing Biu/Bayo/Shani/Kwaya Kusar Federal Constituency of Borno, said that the award was well-deserved.
“On behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on FCT, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, on your well-deserved recognition as the Minister of the Year by THISDAY/Arise TV.
“This prestigious honour is a testament to your visionary leadership, tireless dedication and exceptional contributions to the infrastructural transformation in the territory.
“Your unwavering commitment to service and your determination to improve the lives of residents and visitors alike to the FCT has been nothing short of exemplary.
“Through your bold initiatives and strategic policies, you have not only enhanced the aesthetics and functionality of Abuja, but have also reaffirmed the FCT’s position as a beacon of progress and modernity in Nigeria,” he said.
Betara said that the recognition was a reflection of the positive impact of Wike’s work and the admiration he had earned across various sectors.
While describing the recognition as an outstanding achievement, the lawmaker prayed that the milestone would serve as an inspiration for greater accomplishments in service, with integrity and purpose.
A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday, adjourned hearing in the alleged money laundering case against former governor of Kogi, Yahaya Bello until April 3 and April 24.
Justice Maryann Anenih adjourned the case for continuation of hearing after the first witness, Fabian Nworah, a property developer, was called to testify.
The Prosecution Counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he had five witnesses to call for the day.
Justice Anenih said she could only take one witness as she had other matters to attend to.
The court also announced that it would not be sitting on Thursday as previously scheduled.
Counsel for the 1st and 2nd Defendants, Joseph Daudu, SAN, however, informed the court that the prosecution had not made the statements on oath of the 2nd defendant available to the defence team.
He said he was aware that the first defendant had not made any statement.
Daudu also objected to the witness presented by the prosecution, arguing that the defendants had no prior knowledge of the witness and were only seeing him in court for the first time.
Citing authorities, he emphasised that legal proceedings should not be a “hide and seek” game, stating that the prosecution was required to provide the witness’ statements on oath in advance so the defence could adequately prepare for cross-examination.
“The statements of the second defendant have not been served on us to be able to know if we will be able to represent him or not.
“So, it is a serious handicap on us. They need to serve us all the statements made by the defendants.
“I understand the first defendant has not made a statement. Fortunately, we are still within the house keeping stage of the proceeding,” he added.
Corroborating this, counsel for the 3rd Defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, SAN, said, “mine is not a comment but an observation my lord. My application is for the court to order the prosecution to provide us with the statements of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.”
When the judge asked if he had requested for the statements, Aliyu SAN said, he discovered on Tuesday that the said statements were not part of the proof of evidence served on the defendants.
He said: “I am also applying that the court order the prosecution to provide us with copies of recovered digital device and the report or the extract therefrom mentioned on Page 14 of Volume 1 of the proof of evidence and the report of the forensic expert if any.
“I am following the procedure followed in Okoye against the Commissioner of Police, which was adopted by the Supreme Court in Okemini Vs Commissioner of Police.”
The prosecution witness, however, disagreed, saying the defendants were trying to delay speedy trial.
He insisted that the proof of evidence was served on the defendants on Nov. 27, 2024.
“The constitutional provisions, which they rely on, does not imply that the prosecution should provide all the documents which it relies on.
“The law only provides that the prosecution should oblige the defence with all the documents requested for,” Pinheiro argued.
He noted that the issues would be addressed whenever they receive formal applications from the Defendants and urged the court to proceed on the business for the day.
“As it is, we have almost utilised more than an hour on these arguments,” he stated.
The judge asked the defendant’s counsel why he did not raise the issues in December.
Daudu SAN replied that it was because it had to be done after arraignment.
“I have applied and they are not obliging me. It is absolutely necessary for our defence,” counsel for the 3rd defendant said.
The judge, however, declined the application for adjournment and directed the prosecution to proceed with the case.
The prosecution then proceeded to call its first witness, Fabian Nwora, a property developer with EFAB Property Nigeria Limited.
Nwora testified that he was invited to the Economic and Financial Crimes on Feb. 8, 2023, regarding a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property concerning a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama.
He stated that he sold the said property to Shehu Bello but observed that the name on the sale agreement was Dr Bello Ohiani, not Shehu Bello.
He said, in 2023, Shehu Bello approached EFAB Property, informing them that the property was under investigation by the EFCC.
He returned all documents related to the purchase and demanded a refund of the N550million that was paid.
Subsequently, he said, EFAB Property was invited by the EFCC to explain what transpired between them and Shehu Bello.
The EFCC instructed the company to refund the entire sum to an EFCC-designated account. EFAB Property complied in two batches of N400 million and N150 million.
The Kebbi Government says it is assessing the condition of the Zuru General Hospital with the aim of upgrading it to a referral centre.
Gov. Nasir Idris stated this when he visited the Emir of Zuru, Alhaji Muhammadu Sani-Sami on Wednesday in Zuru.
Idris visited the emir to thank the people of Fakai, Sakaba, Danko/Wasagu and Zuru Local Government Areas that make up the emirate.
Idris said that upgrading the Zuru General Hospital to a referral centre would ease the difficulties faced by people of the emirate.
The governor said that quality healthcare services remained an utmost priority of his administration.
He said that the Sir Yahaya Memorial Hospital, Birnin Kebbi and the State Medical Centre, Kalgo, currently serving as referral health institutions were overstretched.
“The government is committed to reversing the trend by making referral hospitals close, accessible and affordable to the people of the state,” he said.
On the expansion of the Zuru Water Works and construction of urban township roads, Idris promised to reappraise the facilities for necessary action.
Northern Youth Influencers Hail Tinubu’s Appointment of Olofin as NSITF Chairman
ECOWAS Confirms Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger’s Exit, Keeps Doors Open for Return
Rep felicitates Wike on emergence as THISDAY/Arise TV Minister of the Year
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology4 months agoZero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years agoPhyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business8 months agoNigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business10 months agoWe generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines8 months agoPhilippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
