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Presidential Poll: Court refuses to order INEC to strike out Tinubu’s name
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, declined to issue an order of mandamus to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to expunge the name of the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, from list of qualified candidates for the forthcoming presidential election.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Binta Nyako, dismissed the suit which accused the APC of failing to comply with mandatory provisions of section 90 (3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, in nominating Tinubu as its presidential candidate.
The suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1960/2022, was brought before the court by a non-governmental organization under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of Kingdom Human Rights Foundation International.
Justice Nyako held that the plaintiff, not being a registered political party in the country, lacked the locus-standi (legal right) to institute the action.
The court noted that the plaintiff had earlier filed a similar suit that was dismissed for want of merit.
Though the court accused the plaintiff of engaging in an abuse of the judicial process through multiplicity of actions, it however commended its lawyer, Mr. Jideobi Johnmary for his erudition.
According to the court, since the plaintiff had no right to file the action, there was no need to consider any of the issues it raised against Tinubu.
Specifically, the plaintiff had prayed the court for; “A declaration that having regard to the clear, unambiguous and express provisions, sprit and tenor of Section 90 (3) read alongside section 84 (13) of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st defendant, has deliberately refused to exercise the powers, mandate and statutory duty/obligation bestowed on him in section 84 (13) of the Electoral Act 2022, to immediately exclude, expunge and remove the 3rd defendant’s name Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the final list of presidential candidates contesting the 2023 presidential election for failure of the 2nd Defendant to comply with the mandatory provisions of section 90 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022.
“A declaration that by operation of law and having regard to the clear, unambiguous and express provisions, sprit and tenor of Section 90 (3) read alongside section 84 (13) of the Electoral Act 2022, the 3rd defendant Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is not a candidate for the 2023 Presidential election, and he is automatically excluded, expunged, and removed from participating in the 2023 presidential election for failure of the 2nd Defendant to comply with the mandatory provisions of section 90 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 in nominating the 3rd defendant as its presidential candidate.
“An order of mandamus directing and compelling 1st defendant to exercise the powers, mandate and statutory duty/ obligation bestowed on him in section 84 (13) of the Electoral Act 2022, to immediately exclude, expunge and remove the 3rd Defendant’s name Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the final list of presidential candidates contesting the 2023 presidential election for failure of the 2nd Defendant to comply with the mandatory provisions of section 90 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022 in nominating the 3rd defendant as its presidential candidate”.
As well as, “An order nullifying and setting aside as illegal, null and void, the nomination of the 3rd defendant as the presidential candidate of the 2nd defendant for failure of the 2nd defendant to comply with the mandatory provisions of section 90 (3) of the Electoral Act 2022”.
On grounds upon which it instituted the action, the plaintiff argued that by the provision of section 90 (3) of the 2022 Electoral Act, no political party in Nigeria is allowed to receive any contribution, of cash or kind, exceeding N50million, without showing the source of the contribution to INEC.
However, both the APC and Tinubu, who were cited in the suit as 2nd and 3rd Defendants, filed preliminary objections to challenge the competence of the suit.
The Defendants described the suit as non-justiciable, adding that it was statute barred since it was not filed within 14 days after Tinubu’s name was submitted to the INEC.
Consequently, they prayed the court to decline jurisdiction and dismiss the suit.
The Katsina State Government, has earmarked N5 billion for the construction of affordable housing units for residents of the state.
The General Manager, Katsina State Housing Authority, Mr Aliyu Rabiu-Kurfi, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Katsina.
Rabiu-Kurfi expalined that N2.5 billion, would be utilised by the government to construct 100 housing units in the state capital.
He said that the other part might be spent on fencing and site clearance of another land to be procured in Abuja, adding that a final decision had not been reached on that.
“A decision is not yet reached, the government might clear the land, put in place all required infrastructure and make provision for individuals to come and build their own houses, both private individuals and developers.
“So, our governor has good plan for housing sector in the state, beginning from this year.
“The governor has already designed a policy tagged ‘Katsina State Housing Policy, 2024’, to serve as foundation and cornerstone for all programmes in the sector,” he said.
He general manager also revealed that the successive state governments had so far constructed 1,848 housing units since the creation of the state in 1987 to date.
“The state has always been blessed with governors who have been patriotic in establishing housing estates.
”These housing estates have been established in Batagarawa, Kofar Marusa, Ahmadu Coomassie, Goruba, all in Katsina district.
”Some were also built in Dutsin-ma, Kankia, Daura, Mani, Funtua and Malumfashi, Barhim, Sarki Abdulrahman, Fatima Shema, Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, and one in Abuja,” he said.
Rabiu-Kurfi disclosed that while some of the houses were allocated to civil servants, others were allocated to private individuals.
He however said that those allocated houses still had about N2 billion yet to be paid to the state government.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano State Command, has arrested a 75-year-old man, Nuhu Baba, for allegedly selling illicit substances for over two years to youths in the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Sadiq Muhammad-Maigatari, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.
Muhammad-Maigatari said the suspect, upon investigation, confessed he was engaged in the illicit trade in his community Tumbau Village, Gezawa Local Government Area, as a means of sustainance.
“Baba’s case underscores the alarming reality of drug trafficking and abuse, which affects individuals across all demographics, including the elderly.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of substance abuse within communities.” he added.
The PRO said that the command successfully recovered various illicit substances such as Tramadol, Cannabis Sativa, Diazepam, Exol-5, and Rubber Solution.
According to him, the State Commander of the agency, Mr Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking in the state.
He emphasised the importance of community involvement in the fight against drug trafficking and urged the general public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug trafficking.
The Police Command in Jigawa says it has begun the enforcement of the Third-Party Motor Insurance Policy across the state.
The Command’s Spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Dutse on Tuesday.
Shiisu said the enforcement aligned with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun.
The spokesperson, therefore, advised vehicle owners to have valid third-party insurance “to avoid any embarrassment”.
“In accordance with section 68 of the Insurance Act 2003, the Jigawa Police Command initiated the implementation of third-party vehicle insurance on Feb.1, 2025, across the 27 local government areas of the state.
“This is in compliance with the directive issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, to all state police commissioners,” he said.
Shiisu added that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmadu Abdullahi, called on motorists to obtain a valid third-party insurance policy from only licensed insurance entities authorised by the National Insurance Commission.
“Abdullahi emphasised the policy’s importance and noted that in the event of an accident, it is easy to facilitate safety of innocent third parties and ensure financial recovery/compensation for damages, injuries or loss of life.
“The commissioner also warned officers involved in this national assignment to maintain a high level of professionalism, respect human rights, be civil but firm and avoid extortion.
“He also warned that any errant officer found wanting will face disciplinary actions,
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