Connect with us

News

BREAKING: There Will Never Be a Live Broadcast of Election Petition Proceedings – Tinubu, Shettima Boast

Published

on

114 Views

The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, and the Vice President-elect, Kashim Shettima, have urged the Presidential Election Petition Court to dismiss the application by Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party for a live broadcast of proceedings, while arguing that the relief sought by the applicants are not such that the court could grant it.

Both Tinubu and Shettima said “With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court,” .

Besides describing the application as frivolous, they said the court is not a soapbox, stadium or theatre where the public should be entertained.

Through their team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, they both wondered why a petitioner would file an application to distract the court and waste its precious time, while stating, in the counter affidavit, that the application relates to policy formulation of the court, which is outside the PEPC’s jurisdiction as constituted.

Olanipekun stated that: “The application also touches on the powers and jurisdiction invested in the President of the Court of Appeal by the Constitution, over which this honourable court as presently constituted cannot entertain.

“The application touches on the administrative functions, which are exclusively reserved for the President of the Court of Appeal.

“The application is aimed at dissipating the precious judicial time of this honourable court.

“The said application does not have any bearing with the petition filed by the petitioners before this honourable court.

“It is in the interest of justice for this honourable court to dismiss the said application filed by the petitioners,” they said.

In an attached written address, the respondents faulted the applicants’ reference to the fact that virtual proceedings were allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They argued that Atiku and his party failed to draw the court’s attention to the fact that practice directions were made by the respective courts for the exercise.

“Another angle to this very curious application is the invitation it extends to the court to make an order that it cannot supervise.

“The position of the law remains, and we do submit that the court, like nature, does not make an order in vain, or an order which is incapable of enforcement,” the respondents stated.

More so, they stated that “At the very best, this application is academic, very otiose, very unnecessary, very time-wasting, most unusual and most unexpected, particularly, from a set of petitioners, who should be praying for the expeditious trial of their petition.

“Petitioners have brought their application under Section 36(3) of the Constitution which provides that the proceedings of a court/tribunal shall be held in public.

“The word ‘public’ as applied under Section 36(3) of the Constitution has been defined in a plethora of judicial authorities to mean a place where members of the public have unhindered access, and the court itself, sitting behind open doors, not in the camera.

“Even in situations where a class action is presented, the particular people constituting the class being represented by the plaintiffs or petitioners are always defined in the originating process.

“Here, in this application, the public at whose behest this application has been presented is not defined, not known, not discernable.

“Beyond all these, it is our submission that the court of law must and should always remain what it is, what it should be and what it is expected to be: a serene, disciplined, hallowed, tranquil, honourable and decorous institution and place.

“It is not a rostrum or a soapbox. It is not also a stadium or theatre. It is not an arena for ‘public’ entertainment.

“With much respect to the petitioners, the motion is an abuse of the processes of this honourable court.”

News

Omotayo Exits MAN, Becomes COO Saldrey Communications Ltd

Published

on

By

9 Views

• Omotayo Okewunmi

Saldrey Communications Limited, a niche Public Relations and Media agency, is pleased to announce the appointment of Omotayo Okewunmi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO) effective Monday, November 3, 2025.

This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward strengthening its operations, expanding its client impact, and deepening its commitment to innovation-driven communication solutions.

Omotayo joins Saldrey Communications following her impactful tenure as the Public Relations Manager of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), where she played a pivotal role in advancing the Association’s public image, stakeholder engagement, and policy communication strategies.

During her time at MAN, she was instrumental in crafting narratives that amplified the voice of Nigerian manufacturers, reinforcing the Association’s credibility across national and international platforms.

Beyond her corporate experience in MAN, Omotayo has founded and grown businesses in the media and events industry and her impact is felt particularly with Clefflake Media and Events, a boutique media and event consultancy renowned for its creative storytelling, experiential brand activations, and strategic communications expertise. Under her leadership, Clefflake Media and Events became a trusted name among clients seeking tailored solutions for their brands and memorable experiences at events.

At Saldrey Communications, Omotayo is poised to bring her wealth of experience in strategic planning, brand communication, and client relationship management to elevate the agency’s operational excellence and creative output.

Her appointment underscores Saldrey’s commitment to fostering leadership that drives measurable results and delivers unmatched value to clients.

“This is an opportunity to merge innovation with purpose. My coming on board is to not only strengthen the internal operations of the organisation but also create lasting value for our clients.

Saldrey Communications has always stood out for its deep understanding of influence mastery and its ability to deliver unmatched results to clients.

My goal is to amplify that strength, ensuring every project reflects the company’s core philosophy of delivering excellence, creativity, and results.”

According to Saldrey Communications’ value proposition as outlined on its website, the company is committed to “delivering strategic, innovative, and measurable communication solutions that connect brands to their audiences and drive sustainable growth.”

Omotayo’s appointment is aligned with this mission ensuring that every client engagement reflects the agency’s hallmark of precision, passion, and performance.

With her unique blend of corporate communications expertise, entrepreneurial flair, and passion for public relations, Omotayo Okewunmi is set to play a transformative role in driving Saldrey Communications’ next phase of growth, one that promises innovation, client satisfaction, and lasting impact.

Continue Reading

News

ASUU Urges Tinubu to Sack Education Minister

“If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria.”

Published

on

By

14 Views


The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is calling for the sack of the Minister of Education , Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, alleging that he is incompetent.

The Chairman of ASUU, University of Jos chapter, Prof Jurbe Joseph Molwus ,made the call on Wednesday .

” If President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in keeping with his campaign promises, really desires to make history by addressing the age- long disputes with the University unions, he needs to change the Minister of Education and bring in someone who truly understands the issues bedevilling tertiary education in Nigeria,” he said.

According to him, the union will likely resume another strike in two weeks saying that the strike was suspended as a mark of respect and demonstration of goodwill in collective bargaining.

The union described as sad the fact that even the N50 billion revitalisation fund claimed to have been released some weeks ago by the Federal Government is yet to reach the Universities and wondered why the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Maruf Alausa, is still keeping it.


The Universities have yet to receive the N2.3 billion purportedly released by the government to clear salary and promotion arrears in all federal Universities.

ASUU said the amount of N2.3 billion arrears for promotion and salaries is like a drop in the ocean because it can hardly take care of three big Universities in Nigeria as it is “grossly inadequate and almost embarrassing, if not insulting.”

Continue Reading

Crime

Federal lawmaker escapes assassination attempt

Published

on

13 Views

A member of the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, narrowly escaped death on Tuesday after his convoy was ambushed by suspected terrorists in Niger State.

The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area while Damisa, who represents Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, was on his way to Babanna for an official engagement.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen—identified as “Lakurawa terrorists,” locally known as bandits—opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy in a surprise afternoon attack.

Security operatives attached to the convoy responded immediately, resulting in a fierce gun battle. One soldier was reportedly killed, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Some of Damisa’s political aides and supporters were also injured during the exchange.

Witnesses said the attackers fired relentlessly, riddling several vehicles with bullets before fleeing the scene. At least 11 vehicles were reportedly vandalised in the attack.

Despite the heavy assault, Damisa escaped unharmed. Security agencies are said to have launched a manhunt for the assailants in the area.

Continue Reading

Trending