News
Court Strikes Out APM’s Suit Against Shettima, Tinubu
The Presidential Election Petition Court has dismissed the suit of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) seeking to nullify President Bola Tinubu’s election.
The court, in its ruling delivered in Abuja on Wednesday, dismissed the petition for lacking in merit and being incompetent.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who read the judgement, held that issues the APM raised in its petition contained pre-election matters that could only be determined by the Federal High Court.
The court further upheld the preliminary objections of the respondents who challenged the competence of the suit.
Justice Tsammani noted that since the petition centred on the qualification of President Tinubu to contest the presidential election, the APM ought to have gone to court within 14 days after Tinubu was nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He held that since the cause of action bordered on a pre-election matter, the APM lacked the locus standi to challenge Tinubu’s nomination.
Furthermore, the court held that the Supreme Court had earlier decided that a political party does not have the right to challenge a nomination that was made by another political party.
He held that sections 131 and 237 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, made provisions for the qualification or disqualification of candidates in an election.
The court noted that the main grouse of the APM was on the alleged invalid nomination of Tinubu’s running mate, Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
He further held that Section 84(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022, stipulates that political parties should not impose qualification criteria on a candidate, except as provided for in the constitution.
It held that where an election has already been conducted and the result declared, the qualification of a candidate could no longer be challenged on the basis of sections 131 and 137 of the Constitution.
The court held that since the APM failed to challenge President Tinubu’s nomination within the constitutionally allowed period, its case, therefore, had become statute-barred.
It held that where the constitution has qualified a candidate for an election, no other law can disqualify such candidate except the constitution itself.
The court held that the issue of double nomination as alleged by the APM, was not a legal ground for disqualification.
The court held that it found no reason why Ibrahim Masari was cited as the 5th Respondent in the petition since he would not in any way be affected by the outcome of the case.
News
Uzodimma to Editors: You should be held accountable for what happens to Nigeria
“The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”
Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State, says the Nigerian media industry should be held accountable for what’s happening in the country and to its citizens, both positively and negatively.
“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect,” said Uzodimma.
In a keynote address , he delivered today during the 21st edition of the All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja.
Uzodimma, critique the theme, ‘Democratic Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors,’ and a sub-theme: ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit: What Nigerians Expect in 2027,’ said : I will not let you escape accountability for electoral integrity, trust deficit, and what Nigerians expect in 2027.
Here is why. If you have a role to play in “Democratic Governance and National Cohesion,’ then you also have a role to play in ‘Electoral Integrity and Trust Deficit.’
Without electoral integrity, there can be no democracy. Electoral integrity begets democracy, and democracy begets good governance, and good governance fast-tracks the exorcism of trust deficit.
In all of these, your role as facilitator, amplifier, or catalyst is key.
“Your reports and comments paint a picture of tomorrow. Therefore, the picture you paint of 2027 is what Nigerians should expect.”
He emphasised that what editors actually do is akin to a pastoral duty.
“You decide what becomes urgent and what disappears.
You choose the lens through which millions of Nigerians see their country, their leaders, and each other.
“That is how the media is structured. A policy shift is either “Government U-Turn” or “Strategic Adaptation.”
A land border closure is either “Economic Protectionism Impoverishing the People” or “National Security Imperative.” Same facts, different frames. Entirely different public perception.,” he said.
He added: ” You are not spectators in 2027. You are active participants. You are catalysts and facilitators, whether r you acknowledge it or not.
The narratives you shape between now and the election will determine whether Nigerians approach 2027 with hope or cynicism, with trust or suspicion, with a sense of shared stake or through a tribal lens.”
News
Editors demand 10-year corporate tax relief for the media industry
The President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, who made the call on behalf of the media organisations, lamented that the present economic realities in the country have put the media in distress.
•President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba
The Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) is requesting for 10-year corporate tax relief from the federal government.
The guild presented their demand on Wednesday during the opening ceremony of the All Nigeria Editors Conference (ANEC) with the theme “Democracy, Governance and National Cohesion: The Role of Editors”, held at the State House Conference Hall, Abuja.
The President of the NGE, Mr Eze Anaba, who made the call on behalf of the media organisations, lamented that the present economic realities in the country have put the media in distress.
He emphasized that the economic situation in the country has forced some media houses to shut down, while some that struggle to operate cannot pay workers’ salaries.
The NGE boss also called for tax exemption, the establishment of low-interest loans for the media, and a digital transformation and innovation fund.
Anaba further proposed a Media Freedom and Safety Charter to protect journalists from a hostile environment.
•Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Ethiopia has been selected to host the 32nd United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP32) in 2027.
Richard Muyingi, chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), disclosed that Ethiopia’s bid was endorsed last week after the country resubmitted its expression of interest , beating Nigeria in a closely contested bid.
“The matter was discussed by the African group in a meeting last week, and Ethiopia was confirmed as the host of COP32,” Muyingi said.
The hosting of COPs rotates among global regions, with Africa due to host the summit in 2027.
The host country for COP31 is yet to be decided between Turkey and Australia.
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