The Department of State Service (DSS) says it will take measures to check groups and individuals making inciting statements that can lead to anarchy.

It said this in a statement signed by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya.

The DSS warned people against taking the laws into their hands and championing anarchy.

The statement read in part, “It would be recalled that the service had earlier advised political players to abide by the rules of engagement as well as approach the courts for redress, if and where there are suspicions of infractions on extant electoral laws.

“It is evident that some aggrieved politicians are already taking advantage of this legal process. This, without a doubt, is the beauty of democracy. It is strongly believed that this approach enhances peace and security. All and sundry should cherish it.

“Be that as it may, the DSS will not tolerate a situation where persons and/or groups take laws into their hands and champion anarchy. Those peddling fake news, hate speech, and all forms of false narratives as a basis to ignite violence or pit the people against the present or incoming administrations, at the Federal, State, and Parliamentary levels, should stop forthwith.

“Those inciting violence have nothing to gain as doing so will not only consume them but also the innocent. It is otherwise disturbing to see respected personalities use their platforms to mislead or incite citizens. This, to say the least, does not augur well for peaceful coexistence and general order.”
The DSS added that it would continue to take necessary measures “to checkmate these elements who do not wish the country well.”

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayoode Ariwoola, on Friday attended a Jumaat service at a mosque in Abuja, amid reports of meeting the president-elect, Bola Tinubu abroad.

A video emerged from the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon showing the CJN leaving his office to the Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque while holding a walking stick.

Further pictures showed him inside the mosque participating in the Jumaat prayer.

There were social media reports on Thursday that the CJN visited Tinubu, who is said to be vacationing in London ahead of the Ummrah in Saudi Arabia, while using a wheelchair.

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The declaration of Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the February 25 presidential election had already attracted petitions by at least four political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA), and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, said the reports were false, adding that the CJN travelled last Saturday for medical reasons and had returned to the country for his judicial functions.

“On March 23, the CJN returned from London and was in the office till 8pm. Today (Friday) he went to the mosque and returned to the office,” he said.

GOV. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has dedicated his victory at the appeal court, which affirmed him him as winner of the July 16, 2022 governorship election, to God  and the people of the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the governor and made available to newsmen on Friday in Osogbo

Adeleke said that the  judgement confirmed  his earlier position that the judgement of the Tribunal  was a miscarriage of Justice.

He said that with the appeal court judgement, the judiciary had  right the wrongs of the  Tribunal.

According to him,  this  has  rekindled his  confidence  in the integrity of the judiciary  as  last hope of the common man.

“I am particularly glad that the Court of Appeal has ruled that Bimodal Voter Authentication System (BVAS) machine and voters register are the primary sources, not the report from the server.

” This has strengthened our democracy and remove a time bomb which the judgement of the Tribunal had planted for our democracy.

” I appreciate Osun people for standing by me and my party through repeated validation of my governorship mandate at the recent general  elections.

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” My party won three straight elections from July 16, 2022,  to the March 18, 2023.

” It is  a resounding vote of confidence in my victory as  governor by the people of Osun state,” he said.

The judiciary, Adeleke said, had further confirmed the will of the people that he was duly  elected governor of my state.

“I commend the judiciary for resisting all pressure

“Rule of law is strengthened when judgement affirms the will of the people. On behalf of Osun people and my party, the PDP,, we appreciate the judiciary and the men of conscience on the bar and the bench.

” My appreciation also  goes to the civil servants, artisans, market people, clerics,students, women and youths. Osun people for  defending the mandate from 2022 till date.

“Let me use this opportunity to extend sincere hands of fellowship to former Governor Oyetola and the APC.

” Let’s build the state together. Let’s unite for the good of our people. The State needs leaders across party lines to join hands for robust and accelerated development of the state.

” As brothers and sisters, we are all requested to start the process of healing.

“Forget party politics as election is over. All members of the political class in Osun state should join hands with me to take our state to greater height”, the governor said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Friday, set aside the tribunal verdict that nullified the election of Ademola Adeleke as governor of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, held that the appeal lodged by Adeleke to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal was meritorious.

The Osun tribunal had  on Jan. 27 , annulled Adeleke’s victory and affirmed Gboyega Oyetola of All Progressives Congress as the authentic winner of the poll after the Independent National Electoral Commission had returned Adeleke as the winner of the poll. (NAN)