He said Atiku’s call for his election to be nullified on the ground that he was mandatorily required to score one-quarter of the lawful votes cast in each of at least two-thirds of all the States and the FCT, “becomes suspect and abusive when considered vis-à-vis relief 150(d), where the petitioners pray that the 1st petitioner who did not score one-quarter of the votes cast in more than 21 States and the FCT, Abuja, be declared the winner of the election and sworn in as the duly elected President of Nigeria”.
Politics
25%: 5 FCT residents ask court to stop Tinubu’s inauguration, extend Buhari’s tenure
25%: 5 FCT residents ask court to stop Tinubu’s inauguration, extend Buhari’s tenure
With barely 17 days to the scheduled swearing-in of the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, five residents of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, have approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court for an order to halt the ceremony.
The plaintiffs, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/578/2023, applied for an order, restraining the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, any other judicial officer and/or any other authority or person from swearing in any candidate in the February 25 presidential election as President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, until it is judicially determined with finality or in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution that such candidate has fulfilled the requirement of Section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.
They further want a declaration that, “the plaintiffs and other FCT residents have a legal interest and constitutional rights to be heard on the question of whether a President-elect must secure at least 25% of votes cast, on the first ballot, in the FCT, Abuja.”
“A declaration that no state of the country is at the same time the FCT for any propose whatsoever, including, in particular, under section 134 (2) (b) of the Constitution.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the FCT, Abuja.
“A declaration that no candidate in the February 25 presidential election may validly be sworn in as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without such candidate having obtained 25% of the votes case in FCT, Abuja.
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“A declaration that following the February 25 presidential election and until a successor is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and sworn in, the term of office of his Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria subsists and endures in accordance with the provisions of section 135 (1) (a) of the Constitution”.
As well as, “An order setting aside or suspending any declaration and/or issuance of a Certificate of a Return to any candidate in the February 25 presidential election in the country as having been elected, save and except it is judicially determined with finality that such candidate fulfilled the conditions stated in section 134(2) (b) of the Constitution.
The five plaintiffs behind the suit, who identified themselves as “registered voters of the FCT, Abuja, excepting those exempting themselves”, are; Anyaegbunam Okoye, David Adzer, Jeffery Ucheh, Osang Paul and Chibuike Nwachukwu.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and the CJN were cited in the matter as 1st and 2nd defendants, respectively.
In the suit dated April 28, which they filed through their lawyer, Mr Chucks Nwachukwu, the plaintiffs prayed the court to among other things, determine; “Whether any candidate in the February 25, 2023 presidential election in the country may validly be declared elected and sworn in as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and therefore the authority to administer or oversee the administration of the Federal Capital Territory through the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority, without that candidate obtaining at least 25% of the votes cast in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.”
Likewise, “Whether the court may restrain the swearing in of any person on May 29th 2023 or at any other date until the issues raised in the summons have been determined with finality”.
It will be recalled that one of the grounds both the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar who came second in the presidential election and his counterpart in the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, who came third, is relying on to challenge the declaration of Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, included the fact that he failed to secure 25% votes in the FCT, Abuja.
However, in a reply he filed before the Presidential Election Petition Court sitting in Abuja, Tinubu, argued that it was not a mandatory requirement of the law that he must win the FCT before he could be declared as the President-elect.
Politics
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Mr. Rasheed Kashamu, Ijebu-North 1 lawmaker in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, announced on Monday during a plenary session at the Assembly Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, was communicated through a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Oludaisi Elemide. Kashamu, who served as Deputy Minority Whip, cited irreconcilable differences and factional divisions within the PDP at both state and national levels as reasons for his move.
Elemide noted that Kashamu’s decision was aimed at aligning with progressive forces in Ogun State and supporting the development agenda of Governor Dapo Abiodun. “After reviewing the current state of affairs of the PDP, marked by unresolved leadership crises, he resolved, in consultation with his supporters, to join the APC and back the ISEYA agenda of Governor Abiodun and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” the Speaker said.
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Kashamu formally joined the APC at his Oke-Sopen Ward in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu-North Local Government Area, accompanied by his supporters, while lawmakers welcomed him into the Assembly’s majority caucus. His wife, uncle, and other well-wishers were present to witness the event.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State House of Assembly also acknowledged a letter from Governor Dapo Abiodun seeking the confirmation of Mr. Abdul Najeem Olayinka as Auditor-General for Local Governments following the retirement of Mr. Lamidi Mulero.
Elemide directed the nominee to appear before the House for screening on December 17 and to submit 30 copies of his curriculum vitae and credentials by 10:00 a.m. on December 16, as part of the confirmation process.
This development marks a significant political shift in Ogun State, strengthening the APC’s presence in the House of Assembly ahead of upcoming elections.
Ogun Lawmaker Rasheed Kashamu Defects from PDP to APC
Politics
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Dr. Najeem Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, has emerged as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State election, securing an overwhelming victory at the party’s primary election on Monday.
The primary, held in Osogbo, saw 528 delegates accredited, including 482 local government and ward delegates and 53 special delegates. Of the votes cast, 520 were validly credited to Salaam, while eight votes were declared invalid, confirming his landslide win.
Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Chairman of the ADC Primary Election Committee, officially declared Salaam as the party’s flagbearer, empowering him to lead the party into the 2026 gubernatorial race.
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In his acceptance speech, Salaam thanked delegates and ADC leadership for their confidence, vowing to champion the party’s vision and represent the people of Osun State effectively in the upcoming election.
Salaam’s nomination adds momentum to a highly competitive political landscape in Osun State, where other parties, including the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC), have also concluded their nominations. Governor Ademola Adeleke secured the Accord Party ticket, while the APC confirmed Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its flagbearer.
Political analysts note that Salaam’s experience as a legislative leader and grassroots mobiliser positions him as a strong contender in the 2026 Osun governorship election, signaling an intense contest across major parties.
Ex-Osun Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam Wins ADC Guber Primary
Politics
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has dismissed as false a viral report alleging that he commented on which region should produce Nigeria’s president in 2027, describing the claim as fake news.
The report, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said it was the South’s turn to produce the next president. Reacting on Monday via X (formerly Twitter), El-Rufai categorically denied making such a statement.
“My attention has been drawn to a trending fake news item alleging that I specified which region of the country should produce the president in 2027. This claim is untrue, despite its virality,” he said.
El-Rufai stressed that he did not express such views in any speech, interview or social media post, noting that his opinions are only conveyed through his verifiable official platforms.
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He also faulted the practice of attributing opinions to him based on articles written by others, even when such articles are shared on his platforms as part of broader national discourse.
“It is wrong and improper to attribute to me opinion articles written by other authors, even when I share such articles on my platforms as contributions to the national conversation,” he said.
The former governor warned that the spread of misinformation and irresponsible politicking on social media poses a serious threat to public trust and democratic debate.
“These clarifications are crucial as we confront the deliberate misuse of social media for the spread of fake news,” El-Rufai stated, adding that fake news platforms should not be accorded any credibility.
He further urged journalists, media organisations and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it, cautioning that failure to do so undermines the integrity of the media.
“In this age of falsehood, the obligation to verify information before posting or publishing has become more important than ever,” he said, lamenting what he described as the growing alignment of some media actors with unverified social media narratives.
El-Rufai concluded by reiterating that no political views should be attributed to him unless they are explicitly expressed on his official social media accounts or during interviews with reputable media organisations.
El-Rufai Denies Claim on 2027 Presidency, Calls Viral Report Fake News
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