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Akpabio declares Umahi, Giadam’s senatorial seats vacant
Akpabio declares Umahi, Giadam’s senatorial seats vacant
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has officially declared the seats of two senators, David Umahi representing Ebonyi-South, and Ibrahim Giadam representing Yobe-East vacant.
This announcement came as a result of their appointments as ministers.
The declaration of vacancies in the senatorial seats was made during the plenary session on Wednesday in Abuja.
Akpabio cited Section 68, Sub-section (1)(d) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) as the basis for this decision.
According to Akpabio, the constitutional provision necessitated the declaration of vacancies following Umahi’s and Giadam’s appointments to ministerial positions.
Consequently, Akpabio called upon the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate the processes for conducting by-elections in the affected Ebonyi-South and Yobe-East senatorial districts without delay.
This move aligns with constitutional requirements to fill vacant positions in the Senate resulting from senators’ appointments to executive or ministerial positions.
“What Nigerians will expect is good legislation. As we know, the APC has the majority and will work for the prosperity of all Nigerians,” Ganduje added.
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, had on November 7 upheld the judgment of the lower tribunal, which declared Lalong the winner of the Plateau-South Senatorial District election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Napoleon Bali, as the winner.
Bali had scored 148,844 votes, while Lalong recorded 91,674, according to INEC.
But Lalong challenged the result on the grounds that the PDP had no proper structures in the state on which a candidate could contest an election
Akpabio declares Umahi, Giadam’s senatorial seats vacant
News
Aisha Yesufu under fire for celebrating naira fall
Aisha Yesufu under fire for celebrating naira fall
Nigerians have criticized Aisha Yesufu for celebrating the decline of the value of the naira against the dollar.
Yesufu, in a statement on Saturday, berated President Bola Tinubu over the astronomical decline in the naira.
Yesufu, in her statement, said, “Aisha Yesufu, who said you should keep your dollar closer, is the problem, not the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who rigged the election only to be worse than Buhari.
“You people should keep living in Lala Land. My pinned post still tells you to keep your dollars close.
Governance cannot be run on propaganda.”
Yesufu made the statement while reacting to a report by Bloomberg Africa which stated that “Nigeria’s naira has reversed recent gains and is now the world’s worst performing currency in the last month, increasing pressure on the central bank to keep raising interest rates.”
Bloomberg Africa further noted that “the naira has slipped to 1,466.31 to the dollar, its weakest level since March 20, hurt by the local scarcity of the US currency, which on Thursday halved from the day before to just $84 million.”
Berating the activist over her statement, Umar Muhammed, in a statement on X, mentioned that “it’s surprising how unpatriotic you can be; you leverage that Nigeria should fail, but you’ll be disgraced at last.
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He added that “nothing lasts forever; you’re even worse than any corrupt politician ever; you’ve refused to comment on the fraudulent charges against your husband, no matter how bad Nigeria gets. Nothing good comes easy. Nigeria would be great again, and you’ll be sad forever.”
In his reaction, Imo Enobong Ebong states, “You’re encouraging people to sabotage the economy because Tinubu is Nigeria’s president. But you wouldn’t encourage Nigerians to keep hold of their dollars if Obi were the president. Same mindset as those who blew up oil pipelines because Buhari replaced GEJ.”
An X user simply identified as Richard, described the #BringBackOurGirls activist as a “bitter” person when he said she’s “always and ever bitter!
He adds, “If you accuse Tinubu of rigging, what are you going to accuse your husband of doing? The ills and evils you wish Nigeria would experience will befall you and your family.
“Till now, you can’t even produce a clean slate for your stewardship as the keeper of LP campaign funds! Gbajue woman!”
Suleman Idemudia urged Nigerians to support the development strides of the present administration rather than celebrate when the economy suffers setbacks.
He said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approach to economic development and commitment to sustainability are setting a positive example for other leaders.
“Let’s engage in respectful dialogue and focus on moving our nation forward together.”
Aisha Yesufu under fire for celebrating naira fall
News
Wike working against Rivers State, says ex-PDP Chairman Secondus
Wike working against Rivers State, says ex-PDP Chairman Secondus
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Uche Secondus, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of being the mastermind of the current charged political atmosphere in Rivers State.
The former PDP national chairman made the accusation on the heels of Wike’s incessant feud with the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, saying the FCT minister had been demarketing the state because Governor Fubara had blocked all loopholes that could grant him access to the revenues in the coffers of Rivers State.
Secondus alleged that Wike had instructed his aides and political associates to continuously malign and sabotage the peace, progress, and prosperity of Rivers State by ceaselessly attacking Governor Fubara and other leaders of the state in the media.
He further stated that Wike’s media attacks against the political leaders of Rivers were “unwarranted and diversionary.”
Meanwhile, the FCT minister said he has never asked Governor Fubara, his estranged political godson, or anyone else to worship him in the state.
This is just as he assured members of the State House of Assembly loyal to him that nobody can remove them from office.
Wike stated this while speaking at an event to honour former Senator, George Senior in Ogu in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of the state on Saturday.
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Recall that Governor Fubara at a recent function in Port Harcourt while commenting on the crisis in the state had said he respects and acknowledges Wike’s pivotal role in his governorship emergence, but that he would not worship any man.
Also, at the burial of the late mother of former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia in Ubima, Ikwerre local government area of the State, Fubara has said ‘I won’t Govern Rivers on bended knees’.
But Wike in his reply wondered where the issue of ‘worship’ which his successor mentioned emanated from.
He said, “I came because I respect people who appreciate what God has done for them and what God has used people to do for them.
“God does not come down. God uses people to help people. I have never told anybody to worship me. Nobody can worship man. All of us believe that we only have one God. And it is only that God we worship; and we will continue to worship that God.
“As politicians, we appreciate people who have helped. Ogu-Bolo people when I came to ask you to support me, you supported me. Did I worship you? But I have to appreciate you. I never said I would worship you. Did I tell you to worship me? So why did the issue of worship come.”
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He commended the chiefs and people of Ogu-Bolo for not allowing politics to divide them, saying, “You have not allowed politics to make you dishonour your son. That shows people who have leaders of their community in mind.”
He apologised to the people for what he termed wrong judgment, which he said, shows that man is prone to errors.
“In life when you make a mistake, there is nothing you can do about it. I have made a mistake, I didn’t know it all. I say God forgive me and I say all of you forgive me.
“But we will correct it at the appropriate time. I’m a human being. I’m bound to make mistakes. My judgment can be wrong. So forgive me for making a wrong judgment. That is part of life, so nobody should kill himself,” the FCT minister said.
On Fubara’s recent remarks that some of the lawmakers stayed with him and he paid their children’s fees, Wike jested that he never knew the latter was so rich.
“See the Assembly people in their different constituencies. I never knew you were saying rich. I never knew your father was the Managing Director of Shell.
“You were feeding the Assembly people, paying their children’s school fees. I never knew that. It is unfortunate. “
‘We’re in full control’
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party has declared full control over Rivers State, asserting that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the party now dominate the state’s political landscape.
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In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Saturday, the party claimed that all legislators who defected to the All Progressives Congress have forfeited their seats, citing constitutional provisions.
Recall that on Tuesday, the state government dismissed a call by the state APC for the pro-Wike House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against Gov. Fubara.
Ologunagba emphasised that legal considerations now overwhelmingly favour the PDP, dismissing the APC’s claims as futile attempts to subvert Nigeria’s constitution.
He stated, “It is indeed pathetic for the APC to think that the facts and true import of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to the effect that the former lawmakers have since lost their seats can be muddled and lost in litigation and lengthy press statements.
“Interestingly, in the failed bid to subvert the Constitution to give the former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly a lifeline, the APC ended up admitting the clarity of the provision of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) in voiding their seats upon their defection.”
In a similar vein, the Rivers State Police Command has explained why its operatives occupied the entrances of the State House of Assembly in Port Harcourt.
Recall that about 30 armed policemen and over 25 patrol vans were stationed at both entrances leading to the Assembly quarters located along Aba Road in the state capital.
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The state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had visited the legislative quarters unannounced with a retinue of security aides and other plain cloth operatives on Wednesday, sending cold shivers down the spine of the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reacting to the unscheduled visit which he described as unfortunate, Amaewhule alleged that Governor Fubara has concluded plans to demolish the facility built by his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.
However, the spokesperson of the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement late on Friday night said the deployment of its operatives at the Assembly quarters was to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The statement is entitled “Rivers State Police Command Clarifies Presence at Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters’ and sent to newsmen.
It reads, “The Rivers State Police Command wishes to clarify the recent reports regarding our presence at the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters.
“Our deployment in the area is solely aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any possible breakdown of order.
“We assure the public that there is no cause for alarm, and all individuals are encouraged to continue their lawful activities without fear.
“Your cooperation is greatly appreciated as we work towards maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.”
Wike working against Rivers State, says ex-PDP Chairman Secondus
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British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria
British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit to Nigeria has stirred up disquiet at the British High Commission in Abuja, as their presence went unacknowledged by relevant officials.
Despite the couple’s arrival in the populous nation and various welcoming activities, including meetings with military authorities and dignitaries, the British High Commission’s social media handles remained silent on their visit.
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, clarified in an interview that the visit was in a private capacity and not arranged or facilitated by the commission. Hence, they were not representing the UK government’s work during their time in Nigeria.
During their visit to Kaduna, Prince Harry emphasized the importance of sports in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers, focusing on meeting with Nigerian armed forces veterans.
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The couple’s decision to step down as senior royals in 2020, amidst frustrations over media intrusion and restrictions on developing their brand, “SussexRoyal,” was highlighted. They retained their titles but relinquished their royal highness status and Harry gave up his military titles.
Allegations surfaced regarding Prince Harry’s absence from a flight that carried other royal family members to visit Queen Elizabeth II before her passing. Reports suggest an argument ensued due to Harry’s insistence on bringing Meghan Markle to Balmoral, causing him to miss the flight.
The visit to Nigeria served as an opportunity for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to engage with wounded veterans and promote rehabilitation efforts, despite the absence of official acknowledgment from the British High Commission.
British High Commission shuns Prince Harry, Meghan ceremonies in Nigeria
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