Clement Nwabuko

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Senate Passes Witness Protection Bill

Senate Passes Witness Protection Bill

Abuja (FCT) -. The Senate, on Wednesday, passed the Witness Protection and Management Bill, 2022. 

The passage of the bill was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters. 

Chairman of the Committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, in his presentation, said the bill was read for the first time on February 23, 2021, and a second time on January 25, 2022.

According to the lawmaker, the bill seeks to provide for the legal and institutional framework for the protection of witnesses and related persons in respect of disclosures made for public interest. 

“It also seeks to provide support, management and protection of witnesses, which will be implemented by all public institutions vested with powers to investigate an/or prosecute criminal cases.

“This programme is a universally accepted concept for the protection of witnesses, who are willing to provide information and evidence for the purpose of enhancing the justice system and whose lives are threatened as a result thereof.

“Therefore, the need to have this legislation in place, cannot be over-emphasised as it will give the needed impetus and credence to the current anti-corruption drive of this administration”, he said. 

The report on the Witness Protection and Management Bill was passed by the Senate after a clause-by-clause consideration by the Committee of the Whole. 

In a related development, a bill to amend some provisions of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act 2015 has scaled second reading in the Senate.

The bill which was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), seeks to regulate, control and limit any threat to public health, or the environment from the commercial handling of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria. 

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, referred the bill after consideration to the Committee on Environment for further work.

The Committee was given four weeks to report back to the chamber in plenary.

The Senate on Wednesday also stepped down consideration of a report on a bill to establish the Federal Polytechnic Orozo, by the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND.

The bill was stepped down due to the absence of the Chairman, Senator Ahmad Babba-Kaita, who was billed to present the report for consideration. 

Meanwhile, the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has referred two confirmation requests by President Muhammadu Buhari to the relevant committees for legislative inputs.

The confirmation of Dr. Hale Gabriel Longpet as Resident Electoral Commission for the Independent National Electoral Commission was referred to the Committee on INEC to report back in two weeks.

Also referred was the President’s request for the confirmation of four nominees as Executive Commissioners of the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission to the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream).

The nominees include Dr. Nuhu Habib (North West, Kano State), Commissioner, Development and Production; and Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu (South East, Imo State), Commissioner, Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning.

Others are Capt. Tonlagha Roland John (South-South, Delta State), Commissioner, Health, Safety, Environment and Community; and Jide Adeola (North Central, Kogi State), Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration.

The nominees are expected to appear before the respective Committees for screening. 

The Committee was given four week ms to conclude work on the screening exercise and report back to the chamber. 

Reps Condemn Security Breach At Kaduna Airport,Summon Heads Of Security Agencies, Aviation Minister, Others

Reps Condemn Security Breach At Kaduna Airport,Summon Heads Of Security Agencies, Aviation Minister, Others

Abuja – The House of Representatives has summoned the Heads of Security Agencies, Aviation Minister, Captain Hadi Sirika and the heads of aviation agencies for a meeting on Wednsday with the House leadership and the Chairmen of relevant committees of the House of Representatives on the recent security breach at the Kaduna International Airport.

The House has equally urged the Federal Government, through the office of the National Security Adviser, (NSA), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police and heads of other security agencies to holistically intervene by setting up special security task force, (SSTF) on airports across the country.

The House took the decisions after adopting the motion of Urgent National Importance, titled, “Urgent Need for The Federal Government To Investigate The Recent Banditry Attack at Kaduna International Airport And Reinforce Security Surveillance and Personnel in All The Nigerian Airports sponsored by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, the Chairman of House of Representatives Committee on Aviation.

The House further directed Federal Ministry of aviation, Federal Airports of Nigeria, (FAAN) security and other security agencies to come up with a more proactive measure in securing the airports including providing a modern security surveillance equipment on the perimeter fences in all airports.

Presenting the motion earlier, Honourable Nnaji told his colleagues that about a year ago, armed bandits attacked the staff quarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at the same Kaduna airport and abducted about twelve persons.

He equally noted that just last Friday, March 25, 2022 another horrific armed banditry attack was unleashed at the airport resulting in the death of a security guard of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA).

Honourable Nnaji acknowledged the swift intervention of the military and other security agencies who confronted the heavily armed bandits numbering over a hundred, adding that their gallantry saved the situation.

The Aviation Committee Chairman said he was concerned that the attack on Kaduna Airports might escalate to other airports if urgent measures were not taken to safeguard the nation’s aerodromes.

Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bombard terrorist enclaves, Senate cries out to military 

Abuja-Kaduna Train Attack: Bombard terrorist enclaves, Senate cries out to military 

The Senate has called on the Army and Airforce to, as a matter of urgency, bombard terrorist enclaves with a view to restoring peace and stability in the country.

The call was made on Tuesday amid resolutions reached, following a point of order raised on “the continuing attacks on Communities and public facilities in Kaduna State.”

The point of order was raised by Senator Uba Sani (Kaduna Central). 

The lawmaker, noted that terrorists have in recent times stepped up attacks on some communities and public facilities in Kaduna State. 

According to him, “the latest attacks by these murderous elements took place in some communities in Giwa Local Government, namely Angwan Sarki Yahya, Tashar Shari, Bare-Bari, Tsaunin Natal, Dillalai, Durumi and Jatin Kanwa, all on Yakawada Ward. 

“Other places affected include Kaya community, Mai kyauro and Fatika. They killed 50 persons and kidnapped o 100 people. They also made strategic roads in Giwa Local Government no go areas.

“Not done with their devilish acts, they made an attempt to penetrate the Kaduna International Airport. 

“Although the attack was foiled by vigilant security operatives, one person lost his life. When people were trying to come to grips with a week-long wanton destruction of lives and property, the terrorists struck again.”

He bemoaned the attacks by bandits on a Kaduna bound train carrying over 970 passengers around Kateri – Rijana axis in Kaduna, just a few kilometers to the Rigasa Train Station in Igabi Local Government Area of the State. 

“The train derailed after the first wave of attacks. Grenades and RPG were used. They rained bullets on all the coaches. Some passengers were killed, while many sustained bullet wounds. 

“There are reports that some of the passengers were abducted. The terrified passengers only breathed a sigh of relief when security agencies arrived and secured the train and the area. It’s been a reign of undiluted terror”, Senator Sani said.

He noted that, “these latest attacks are aimed at instilling fear in the people and destroying the economies of our local communities. 

“It is disheartening that these enemies of the people are getting emboldened by the day. They are becoming more brazen. These blood cuddling vampires have no regard for human life. They have no place in a civilized society.”

He expressed concern that the unrelenting attacks calls to question the strategies and tactics being adopted by our security forces. 

“We expected that with the declaration of bandits as terrorists by a court of competent jurisdiction, they will be degraded in no time. 

“This appears not to be happening. The security forces must reassess their strategies and come up with workable and effective solutions to the menace of terrorists in Kaduna State”, he added.

Sani observed that the forests where the terrorists hold sway are not impregnable, adding that, “a comprehensive operational plan, executed with high sense of professionalism and responsibility, total commitment on the part of our security forces and the support and cooperation of the local communities will rid Kaduna State forests of these murderous elements.”

He explained that the advocacy for creation of State Police would bring law enforcement closer to the people. 

“Effective gathering of intelligence and sustained security operations at the local level will make life uncomfortable for terrorists. 

“They will have no operational base; and Once again draw the attention of the Federal Government, particularly security agencies comprising the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army and other relevant security agencies to the grave security situation in Kaduna State and other states of the federation”, he said.

Contributing, Senator Gabriel Suswam lamented that Kaduna had become the new theatre of insecurity.

He said the lingering activities of terrorists in the state makes it imperative for the appropriate authorities to take decisive action. 

The lawmaker attributed the inability by the military to curtail growing incidents of terrorism to “a clear failure of leadership.”

On his part, Senator Danjuma La’ah, said if the security situation in the country is not nipped in the bud, political leaders would become the main targets of terrorists. 

The Senate, accordingly, in its resolutions, urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to declare full scale war against terrorists, so as to fully secure all our national territory from them in whatever guise.

It urged the Army and the Air Force to carry out sustained bombardment of terrorist enclaves with a view to flushing them out and restoring peace and stability to our communities.

The Senate further directed security agencies to always take steps to prevent the occurrence of similar incidence in the future. 

It added that the Military should, as a matter of urgency, monitor the construction and inhabitants of new shanty buildings around the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.

The chamber urged the relevant agencies of government to step up their information gathering mechanism to, forestall these incessant attacks. 

It also called on the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant government agencies to assist the affected communities with relief materials.

The chamber, urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements to security operatives.

The Senate, thereafter, held a minute silence to mourn the deceased in Monday’s attacks.

It condoled the families of the victims of the attacks and the government and people of Kaduna State.

CECPC: Lawan Eulogises Buni For Successful Completion Of Onerous Assignments

CECPC: Lawan Eulogises Buni For Successful Completion Of Onerous Assignments

…. Says Yobeans are proud of their Governor, list achievements

Abuja – The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has eulogised Governor Mai Mala Buni and his exco members for a successful completion of those onerous assignments given to him, for resetting the footings of the party and restoring it to the path of greatness.

This is also as he has said the people of Yobe State are extremely proud of Governor Mai Mala Buni for his achievements while he was chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee(CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

Lawan’s commendation was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Ola Awoniyi made available to newsmen.

Recall that the Governor Buni’s committee which was put in place in June 2020 to stabilise the party, handed over in the early hours of Sunday to a newly inaugurated National Working Committee(NWC) during the national convention of the party.

In a congratulatory message on his success as CECPC chairman, Lawan, an indigene of Yobe State, said his fellow Yobeans are proud of Governor Buni’s performance while he held sway as the head of CECPC.

“I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State, my brother, on the successful completion of his crucial assignment as the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary , Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“When Governor Buni was called to the assignment in June 2020, the APC was by all appearances in dire straits.

“The CECPC was principally tasked with resolving disputes that were pushing the party to the edge of the precipice in many states and at the national level, and with organizing congresses and the National Convention that would produce new leaders for the party at all levels.

“Governor Buni and his team have successfully completed those onerous assignments, reset the footings of the party and restored it to the path of greatness.

“Notable achievements of the Committee include the reconciliation of agrieved members, membership registration and revalidation exercise which raised our membership strength to over 41 million, up from 11 million; record high-powered defections into the party, conduct of congresses at ward, local government and state levels and review of our party’s constitution to remove ambiguities and provide the missing lines.

“These are wonderful achievements worthy of commendation by all party faithful. In providing leadership and direction for these accomplishments by the CECPC, His Excellency Governor Buni proved himself a worthy leader.

“We Yobeans are extremely proud of our Governor for so giving a good account of himself for the period he held sway as the chairman of the CECPC.

“We will also continue to give our maximum support and cooperation to his administration of our dear state,” Lawan.

Buhari Hails Adamu-led New APC Leaders, Commends Party Members For Show Of Unity

Buhari Hails Adamu-led New APC Leaders, Commends Party Members For Show Of Unity

Abuja – President Muhammadu Buhari has formally congratulated the Abdullahi Adamu-led 79-member National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), that emerged at the just concluded convention in Abuja, saying that the unity of members put on display puts the party on a firmer footing for victory in next year, 2023, General Elections.

The President who returned to the Convention ground at the Eagle Square, Sunday morning, along with the Vice President and the Senate President to witness and celebrate the inauguration of the elected party executives, remarked that the smooth conduct of the election raises the prospect of a mouth-watering APC victory next year.

The Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the President, Garba Shehu disclosed this on Monday in a statement released via his twitter handle.

According to him, the APC Convention hosted this weekend sets the scene for an APC victory in the presidential and general elections next year. It is a victory over naysayers who believed the party was divided but are now disappointed,” said the President.

“We believe that it is equally a victory for the president who has ensured unity across all party positions; and it is a victory for the voters of Nigeria who can now be assured of a smooth succession to new leadership in 2023.

“What the Convention made clear was how the media has been peddling fake news of division, when the hard reality of unity, cohesion, and indeed personal warmth between members of the party’s leaders – incoming and outgoing – was evident for all to see.

“Of course, the blame for this mindset ought rightly to go to the opposition who in all these years had done the work to only divide the country, leading to all manner of separatist agitations. But this is not the wish, nor is it in the character of the citizens, as was clear for everyone to see at the Eagle Square. When their fake news of disunity was undone by the facts, some in the opposition could not help themselves but take to the newspapers and the airwaves to find another way to shore up their reputations.

“That some of the APC’s new leadership were once in the opposition was the new line to take to the media, somehow suggesting that those who have left one party should not hold positions in another. Yet, do the Scriptures not teach us of the virtue of sinners who repent and change their ways?

“What the Scriptures say less is of sinners who repent, change their tune, and then choose to re-sin in full public view by returning to their former ways.

“Given that most important leaders of the opposition PDP first left the party before they returned to it, we might expect the media to ensure criticism of them is damning and absolute. It is incredulous that anyone would consider them trustworthy or acceptable candidates for any public office. The stage is now set for the APC primary elections later this year when the party’s new flag bearers will emerge.

“No doubt some will attempt to argue the impossible – that an APC primary election is a source of division while an opposition primary election is a source of consensus.

“But the good voters of Nigeria can see through such acrobatics and know the facts that, when the contests for 2023 come, APC offers a track record of success and leadership, while the opposition has only decades of failure and complicity in response.

2023: PDP South East Insists Presidency Must Be Zoned To South (Photos)

2023: PDP South East Insists Presidency Must Be Zoned To South (Photos)

Abuja – Earlier today His Excellency, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (#PDP) Pdp Southeastzone , Chief (Dr. Ali Odefa led the Southeast Caucus of the party at a critical ZEC meeting hosted by Gov of Enugu State, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi where far reaching decisions and resolution were reached.

The Caucus agreed on the following:

The Southeast Caucus aligned itself with the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next president of Nigeria should come from the southern part of the country.

The Caucus directed that the existing zoning patterns in all the states and constituencies of the zone must be strictly observed and adhered to in every state and constituency of the zone.

In attendance at the meeting include the Leader of the PDP in the Zone and Governorof EnuguState, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi #Ugwuanyi, his Abia State counterpart, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, the National Secretary of the Party, Senator Sam Anyanwu, members of the State and National Assemblies, members of PDP National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) members, among others.

Chief Dr Ali Odefa who briefed the press after the meeting reiterated that the party is set for the coming elections.

He disclosed that the PDP will give special attention to members of the PDP who didn’t defect to other parties in Anambra State.

Earlier Governor of Rivers State in company with the former Gov of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke stopped over on their way to Makurdi and pledged their support for the Southeast PDP.

How Buhari’s Candidate, Adamu, Omisore, Others Emerged

How Buhari’s Candidate, Adamu, Omisore, Others Emerged

…..Nnamani lost to Enaukwu as the Deputy National Chairman (South), others

After days of negotiations and disagreements, the preferred candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, was ratified as the new party chairman late Saturday night.

However, underground horse-trading, negotiations and assurances from different camps were said to have delayed the commencement of the convention slated for 1 pm, as different camps were said to have kicked against the emergence of some of the aspirants as consensus candidates.

The ratification of Adamu and other members of the incoming National Working Committee and Zonal Leaders of the party was part of activities at the convention of the party, which commenced on Saturday and ended in the early hours of Sunday at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, who had emerged as a consensus candidate, was not among those who initially expressed interest in the chairmanship position. However, he was later drafted into the race by the Presidency and some governors.

The persuasion and insistence by the President for Adamu’s emergence forced other aspirants for the national chairmanship position to grudgingly step down on Saturday.

Meanwhile, facts emerged on Saturday night on how leaders of the party across the country arrived at the consensus candidates for the various party positions.

The candidates, who made the Unity List compiled by the party leaders and various stakeholders, were ratified at the convention.

The list emerged shortly before the President arrived at the convention. The most prominent on the list was Adamu.

The consensus candidates, who were assured of the support of the party leadership, would form the National Working Committee of the APC for the next four years.

One of the main tasks awaiting the new NWC is to plan and oversee the party’s primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Vice-President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, arrived at the event at 7:59 pm; the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan at exactly 7.06 pm, while the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, arrived at 7.03 pm.

Confronted by the delegates’ restiveness over the delay, Gbajabiamila said it was better to start late and get things right.

However, the event did not commence until around 8:23 pm when the President arrived at the convention ground. His late arrival was said to have been a result of prolonged discussions with relevant stakeholders on the sharing formula for the different offices.

Our correspondent learnt from sources close to the party leadership that party leaders who successfully persuaded national chairmanship aspirants to step down for the President’s choice leveraged the opportunity to insist on their candidates being chosen for other positions.

Apart from Adamu, a former deputy governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, was named as the party’s national secretary.

The ratified executives include Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno State) as the Deputy National Chairman (North), Emma Eneukwu (Enugu State) as the Deputy National Chairman (South), Festus Fuanter (Deputy National Secretary), Muhazu Rijau (National Vice Chairman, North-Central), Mustapha Salihu (National Vice Chairman, North-East), Salihu Lukman (National Vice Chairman, North-West), Ijeoma Arodiogwu (National Vice Chairman, South-East), Victor Giadom (National Vice Chairman, South-South), and Isaac Kekemeke (National Vice Chairman, South-West).

Others are Ahmed El-Marzuk (National Legal Adviser), Uguru Ofoke (National Treasurer), Bashir Gumel (Financial Secretary), Suleiman Argungu (National Organising Secretary), Beta Edu (National Woman Leader), Abdullahi Israel (National Youth Leader), Tolu Bankole (Special Persons Leader), F.N Nwosu (National Welfare Secretary), Felix Morka (National Publicity Secretary), Abubakar Maikafi (National Auditor), Bashir Gumel (National Financial Secretary), Ibrahim Salawu (Deputy National Legal Adviser) and Omorede Osifo (Deputy National Treasurer).

Earlier on Saturday, six national chairmanship aspirants: George Akume (Benue State), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Abdul’Aziz Yari (Zamfara), Sani Musa (Niger), Saliu Mustapha (Kwara) and Etsu Muhammed (Niger) stepped down for Adamu.

Two members of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President, and Ismail Ahmed, a former National Youth Leader, both of whom were to contest positions at the convention lost out.

Nnamani lost to Enaukwu as the Deputy National Chairman (South) while Ahmed lost the National Organising Secretary position to Argungu from Kebbi State.

Enaukwu, a former national officer with the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressives Change, was the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the APC under Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and Adams Oshiomhole leadership.

It was learnt that some members of the three political parties that merged to form the APC complained about the “too many members of the new-Peoples Democratic Party bloc” in the incoming NWC.

The three legacy political parties that formed the APC were the Action Congress of Nigeria, ANPP and CPC. However, factions of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and a breakaway group in the PDP, known as the nPDP, were among the founding fathers of the APC.

A minister, who spoke with newsmen on condition of anonymity, said, “We are gradually becoming a branch of the PDP with the way we are going. The incoming national chairman and the national secretary were members of the PDP. There are others as well with solid PDP background.

“How then do we abuse the PDP during campaigns? Will people not ask us to differentiate between the PDP then and now? That is why we have to drop some of those proposed for top positions in the incoming NWC. Already, some are already taunting us, referring to us as another arm of the PDP.”

Work Together To Minimize Delays – Reps Urge Aviation Stakeholders

Work Together To Minimize Delays – Reps Urge Aviation Stakeholders

Abuja – The tripartite House of Representatives Committees on Aviation, Commerce and Human Rights investigating the unprecedented flight delays and cancellations in recent times have identified lack of collaboration and coordination among the various stakeholders as major contributory factors to the problems.
At the investigative hearing coordinated by the Aviation Committee Chairman, Honourable Nnolin Nnaji, it was decided that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA) headed by Captain Musa Nuhu, and the service providers, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN), the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) as well as the handling companies should meet with airlines and come up with a well thought out plans on how to address the issue.
The Chairman of the United Nigeria Airlines, Dr Obiora Okonkwo had earlier painted a gloomy pictures of how the cumulative loss of times ranging from ticketing canters to the congestion at the aircraft parking area, the apron, delay in start up permit from the control tower and the congestion at the taxi way before take off as part of the challenges pushing up the delays.
He stated that “once the flight is delayed in take off at any schedule it leads to the delay in the next leg of the operation and that’s how it builds up”.
The United Nigeria Airlines Chairman further listed the general poor airports’ infrasture, inadequate handling equipment at some airports and the problems of weather as well as closure of airspace during very important personality, (VIP) movements as part of the contributory factors to the flight delays.
Dr Okonkwo also pointed out that most of the airports the domestic airlines operate into were designated visual flights aerodromes, (VFR) which means that you have to operate to such airports before sunset adding that,, ” once you can’t take off and land at such airports before 6:30 pm you have to cancel the operation “.
The chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema also speaking along same line stated that because of the visual fight rule, the airlines were constrained to twelve hours use of an airplane in a day instead of eighteen hours adding that, “what it means is that an operator who leased an aircraft for his operations is already losing from take off”.
Chief Onyema added that if majority of the airport could be opened to traffic at least up to midnight, it would offer the operators better utilisation of the aircraft stating that with such development, an aeroplane could be deployed to operations for up to eighteen hours par day.
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority, (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu who acknowledged that the industry was encountering infractural gap noted that such was not enough to justify delays of up to two to three hours and above which the airlines had in recent times subjected passengers to.
He disclosed that the authority has begun to expand the aprons at the general aviation terminals in Lagos and Abuja to address the issue of congestion and promised to collaborate with sister agencies and the airlines as directed by the committee to see how the problems of delays could be tackled .
Honourable Nnaji noted that the industry was pivotal to the development of the national economy and stressed the need for the Federal Government to invest more in aviation so that many more airports could operate beyond sunset ( beyond 6 pm).

2023: APC Group to Unveil News Studio, Online Newspaper After Convention

2023: APC Group to Unveil News Studio, Online Newspaper After Convention

Abuja (Precise Post) – It has been established that after the National Convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC) which holds on 26 March, a full media structure for the party will be unveiled in Abuja.

The media structure which is part of the ongoing plans to project the ruling party positively in the minds of all Nigerians, both home and abroad, will see the unbundled and unveiling of APC online newspaper, http://www.apcnewsonline.ng, which is being test-run in the last 18 months and the APC News Studio temporarily located at Suite 6, Barcelona Hotel, by APC National Headquarters on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2 Abuja.

This much was disclosed by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of APC Online News, Tom Ohikere, during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Directors held in Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Ohikere, “it is pertinent to note that we have reached an advanced stage in our plan to establish a full-fledged Radio/Television station in Abuja which would house all the existing APC news online structures for the purpose of promoting and protecting the political integrity of the progressives. Our technical partners and consultants have made tremendous progress and technical submissions are enclosed in your files for this meeting.

“We are presently ready to take the media landscape by storm with informative and educative programmes as there will be so much to learn and information to accumulate about the All Progressives Congress since 2015. We are very prepared to be the news community and aggregators of APC News across the world.

“We are also endowed with the involvement of technocrats like Alhaji Lawal Ado who is the former Editor in Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mallam Sani Suleiman, the former Director of news of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Hon Ini Akpan Morgan who is the head of the APC Nigeria Diaspora Desk at the APC headquarters and Barr. Olakunle Ehinlanwo, a consummate process consultant and a community mobilizer.

“We are set to carry the nation along history lane, analyzing the past, present and projecting the future of the All Progressives Congress.

“With eminent Nigerians such as Engr. Sani Ndanusa, a public servant par excellence and a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Usman Abubakar (a.k.a. Young Alhaji) a renowned businessman and staunch supporter of APC, and Otunba Abayomi Odunowo, a Chief Strategist and tactician of international repute, we will leverage on their goodwill for relevant contacts and patronage.

“With all these arrays of distinguished Nigerians, APC News Online will definitely change the political milieu that it has found itself, and once again become the darling of the electorates,” Ohikere added.

Senate to discuss court judgment nullifying 84(12) of new Electoral Act Wednesday

Senate to discuss court judgment nullifying 84(12) of new Electoral Act Wednesday

FCT (Abuja) – The Senate, will tomorrow, Wednesday, March 23, 2022, consider a motion to discuss the recent judgment by a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, nullifying the provisions of Section 84(12) of the newly amended Electoral Act 2022 passed by the National Assembly.

Justice Evelyn Anyadike, in a judgment, held that the Section of the Act was “unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null, void and of no effect whatsoever and ought to be struck down as it cannot stand when it is in violation of the clear provisions of the Constitution.”

Consequently, the court ordered the Attorney General of the Federation to “forthwith delete the said Subsection 12 of Section 84 from the body of the Electoral Act.”

Justice Anyadike in the Suit FHC/UM/CS/26/2022 held that Sections 66(1), 107(1)(f) of the 1999 Constitution already stipulated that appointees of government seeking to contest elections were only to resign at least 30 days to the date of the election.

According to her, any other law that mandate such appointees to resign or leave the office at any time before that was unconstitutional, invalid, illegal, null and void to the extent of its inconsistency to the clear provisions of the Constitution.

However, coming under order 42 of the Senate Standing Orders on Personal Explanation, Senator George Thompson Sekibo (PDP, Rivers East) during plenary, challenged the judgment of the court on Section 84(12).

Citing Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended, Sekibo stated that the National Assembly is empowered by virtue of Its provisions to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of Nigeria.

He added that Section 228 lists such functions to include making laws to ensure internal democracy within political parties.

The section provides in part that, “the National Assembly may by law provide guidelines and rules to ensure internal democracy within political parties, including making laws for the conduct of party primaries, party congresses and party conventions; and the conferment on the Independent National Electoral Commission of powers as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or desirable for the purpose of enabling the Commission more effectively to ensure that political parties observe the practices of internal democracy, including the fair and transparent conduct of party primaries, party congresses and party conventions.”

He argued further that the provisions of Section 318 of the 1999 Constitution clearly defines who a public servant is, without including political appointees.

“I don’t have anything against the Judge, but Mr. President, what is relied on in the judgment is not in tandem with the interpretation of the Constitution.

“The Constitution defines for us who is a civil servant and who is a public servant. It does not include political appointees.

“More so, Section 4 gives us the power to make good laws, and in our mind, any law we make here is good law.

“Section 228 gives us also the power to make certain laws to guard the Independent National Electoral Commission to effectively discharge its functions.

“We felt that Section 84(12) as enshrined in the Electoral Act assented to, is for the interest of the people and country.

“I don’t think that somebody should go to court without joining the Senate or the House of Representatives where this law emanated from, because we are the origin of the law before the President assented to it.

“If you think it is faulty, you either take us to court and make us part of that case. We did not know, we were not told and they just went there and got a judgment, destroying our work for over one year as of no one here has the head to do any good thing”, Sekibo said.

The Deputy Senate President, thereafter, put the question for a motion to be brought to the floor during plenary on Wednesday.

The voice vote received the overwhelming support of lawmakers for the motion to be considered.

Omo-Agege, explained that his decision for the motion to be considered on Wednesday, was to allow Senators absent during Tuesday’s plenary to make their contributions when the matter is taken up by the chamber.