News
BREAKING: There Will Never Be a Live Broadcast of Election Petition Proceedings – Tinubu, Shettima Boast
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.”
Accuses APC of Desperate Cover-Up
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has described the Federal Government’s newly announced 30-day petrol discount at NNPC stations as mere tokenism and a deceptive “Greek gift” from an administration that removed fuel subsidy without adequate planning or relief measures for citizens.
Reacting to the announcement by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the party said the policy does not amount to a return of subsidy but is simply a temporary cost-price sale of petrol at NNPC outlets, with priority for public transporters.
“Nigerians cannot be deceived,” the NDC stated. “This is nothing but tokenism from a government that whimsically removed fuel subsidy without proper consideration, consultation, or cushions for the people.”
The party questioned what concrete relief the measure offers to the millions of Nigerians who lost jobs and businesses following the subsidy removal, or to those who died in under-equipped public hospitals that have become “mortuaries.”
According to the NDC, the move reveals desperation on the part of President Bola Tinubu and the APC. It accused the government of attempting to reintroduce petrol subsidy through the backdoor — a sign, it said, of an administration “in free fall, ready to clutch at anything to survive.”
The party also criticised the practicality of the plan, asking how the limited number of NNPC retail outlets can effectively serve over 200 million Nigerians without creating dangerous stampedes at filling stations.
“The only answer staring Nigerians in the face is that the economy is in a tailspin and at a tipping point,” the statement read. “The APC has shown itself glaringly incapable of rescuing the country from imminent collapse.”
Looking ahead, the NDC expressed confidence that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, under its platform, would restore the country to the right path. It called on Nigerians to turn out en masse on 16 January 2027 to vote for Obi and other NDC candidates, describing the current administration as “the most clueless and rudderless government in the history of Nigeria.”
“A New Nigeria is POssible with Obi,” the party declared.
News
FG Plans National Strategic Fuel Reserve As Oil Price Bites
Oyedele also announced a fresh package of other measures to cushion the impact of high fuel prices on Nigerians, including a 30-day margin discount at NNPC stations, a proposed ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on ex-gantry or landing costs, and increased support for vulnerable households and small businesses..
The Federal Government has announced plans to establish National Strategic Fuel Reserve to strengthen supply security and guard against global disruptions or hoarding.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed Thursday during a briefing in Abuja.
Oyedele also announced a fresh package of other measures to cushion the impact of high fuel prices on Nigerians, including a 30-day margin discount at NNPC stations, a proposed ₦1,350-per-litre ceiling on ex-gantry or landing costs, and increased support for vulnerable households and small businesses.
He emphasised that the interventions were designed to provide relief to households and businesses without exposing the wider economy to additional risks.
Oyedele said the government was taking further steps because existing measures had not fully addressed the pressure felt by households following increases in fuel and transportation costs
News
VON now broadcast in nine languages — DG
The languages are English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Kiswahili, French, Arabic and Mandarin, with Mandarin added in 2026.
• VON DG,Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndance
Voice of Nigeria (VON) is broadcasting news in nine local and international languages.
The languages are English, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Kiswahili, French, Arabic and Mandarin, with Mandarin added in 2026.
The Director-General of VON, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndance , disclosed this in Calabar during the 82nd General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), themed: “Broadcast Media – Bedrock of Democratic and Economic Advancement in Nigeria.”
Ndace said VON, which started as the External Service of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation before becoming autonomous in the early 1990s, now broadcasts in nine languages.
He explained that the multilingual approach reflects Nigeria’s diversity and reinforces the principle that stories are most powerful when told in languages audiences understand and identify with.
Ndace said while VON tells Nigeria’s story to the world, it is committed to promoting national unity, development, peace and the country’s positive image.
He called for stronger collaboration among public, private and international broadcasters, urging them to embrace innovation, uphold professional standards and use their platforms responsibly.
NDC Dismisses Tinubu’s 30-Day Petrol Discount as “Tokenism and Deceit,”
FG Plans National Strategic Fuel Reserve As Oil Price Bites
VON now broadcast in nine languages — DG
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Politics2 days agoBREAKING: APC Chairmen Accused of Leading Armed Attacks on ADC Members in Igueben
-
News2 days agoMilitary Chiefs Visit Ondo Crash Site As Underwater Search Intensifies
-
News22 hours agoNAF Helicopter Makes Precautionary Landing In Makurdi
-
News3 days agoUPDATE: NAF Release Identities of Ondo Crash Victims
-
Politics3 days agoI sleep And Eat Thinking About Tinubu’s Re-Election – Wike
-
Business1 day agoAfrican Union launch continent’s first credit rating agency
-
Business22 hours agoNaira Today Exchange Rates, Thursday October 8
-
News1 day agoBreaking: Military rescue 20 corps members, civilian in Imo