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

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2023

572 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.”

Related Topics:Election Proceedings Featured Shettima Tinubu

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Lagos, FG Hold Stakeholders’ Meeting Over Coastal Highway Flooding

Published

4 hours ago

July 6, 2026

Charles Flames

18 Views

The Lagos State Government and the Federal Ministry of Works are meeting with key stakeholders today to address flooding concerns along the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway corridor.

The meeting, directed by President Bola Tinubu, brings together officials from the Lagos State Government, the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Environment and other stakeholders to agree on lasting solutions.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the coastal highway did not cause the flooding. Instead, he says the road’s culverts have improved the flow of stormwater, while existing drainage problems and poor waste disposal remain major causes of flooding in affected communities.

Umahi announced plans to build new drainage channels and service lanes, warning that some buildings will be demolished to make way for the project.

He also ordered stricter enforcement against illegal dumping, street trading and illegal parking along the corridor.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, backed the minister’s position, saying experts had shown lawmakers that flooding in Lagos predates the coastal highway.

The Federal Government says the meeting will produce a coordinated plan to improve drainage, protect infrastructure and reduce future flooding.

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Senate hails Nigerian Army at 163

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), said this year’s celebration marks 163 years of the Nigerian Army’s service to the nation.

Published

5 hours ago

July 6, 2026

OCHEFA

22 Views

The Senate on Monday congratulated the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, officers, soldiers and veterans of the Nigerian Army on the occasion of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, describing the anniversary as a significant milestone in the country’s military history.

The upper chamber also urged officers and soldiers to remain professional, steadfast and committed to their constitutional responsibilities, assuring them of the Senate’s continued support.

He noted that for more than a century, the Army has remained at the forefront of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security.

Commenting on the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Protecting the Nation and Serving the People: A Way Forward for the Nigerian Army,” Yar’Adua said it reflects the Army’s constitutional mandate and the importance of strengthening its relationship with the public.

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NGE to host Lateef Jakande 2026 Memorial Lecture: “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.”

The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture is an annual lecture series instituted by the NGE in 2023 to honour the legacy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late iconic journalist, who was one-time President of the Guild, former Lagos State Governor, and former Minister of Works.

Published

6 hours ago

July 6, 2026

OCHEFA

24 Views

Photo: Eze Anaba (President) NGE

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) will on July 23, 2026 host the 4th Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture in Lagos.

In a press statement signed by Eze Anaba (President) and Onuoha Ukeh (General Secretary), the lecture will holds at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with theme: “The Media, INEC, Voters and Path to Credible Elections.” Time is 11am.

The Guild said that Prof Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, will deliver the lecture, with former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, as Chairman. Expected at the lecture is Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is the Chief Host and Special Guest of Honour; Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; elders of the Guild, including former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba and publisher of Vanguard group of newspapers, Uncle Sam Amuka; top government officials, managing directors and editors of print, electronic and online publications and civil society groups.

Also expected at the lecture are Mass Communication and Journalism lecturers and students of Caleb University, Ikorodu, Lagos; Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos; Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos and Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos.

The statement said that the Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture brings together media leaders, public officials, and civil society to reflect on nation-building, governance, and the role of the press, describing it as “a fitting tribute to Alhaji Jakande’s legacy, which embodies dedication to journalism, governance, and service to Nigeria.”

It added: “The Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture continues to serve as a platform for thought leadership, policy debate, and national introspection, while keeping alive the standard Jakande set in journalism and public service.

“The Guild also said that University students are invited to the lecture every year for them “learn the value of service, excellence and dedication to journalism and public service as well as for them to connect with practising journalists who could serve as their role models in the profession.”

The Jakande Memorial Lecture started in 2023, with a lecture delivered by Chief Felix Adenaike, Fellow of the NGE.

In 2024, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of ThisDay and Arise Mews TV, spoke on “Rapid Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies.”

The third edition last year had the theme: “Journalism and the Challenge of Nation-Building in a Multi-Ethnic Society” and delivered by Bauchi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Mohammed.