News
”I Must Prove My Case Against Tinubu”, Atiku Vows, Tenders All Exhibits To Prove Case
The counsel for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and the party, Eyitayo Jegede, has tendered all exhibits to prove their case against President Bola Tinubu when the Presidential Election Petitions Court reconvened after a week to begin the definite hearing in the petitions by Atiku and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, challenging Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election.
Atiku’s exhibits include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Certified True Copies of declaration of results, summary of results, print out of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) report for each polling units in the 36 states, number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected in all the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The court also adjourned hearing of the petition of the Allied People’s Movement to June 2 to give them time to look into the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgement of May 26 on the controversy surrounding the double nomination of Vice President Kashim Shettima, and see how it affects their petition.
The Labour Party and Obi have opened their petition against Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and INEC, by calling one witness out of the 50 proposed.
Before the witness, who is a lawyer and hails from Anambra testified, counsel to Peter Obi, Jibrin Okutepa, tendered a judgement from a district court in the United States, which reportedly indicted Tinubu and ordered his forfeiture of $460,000 in drug-related offences.
The hearing commenced, led in evidence by Okutepa, with an Anambra-based lawyer and LP witness, Lawrence Nwakaeti, tendering the certified true copy of the US district court judgement.
After cross-examination, counsel to Tinubu, Wole Olanipekun, said the witness admitted that the judgement was not registered in nigeria.
The lawyer also admitted that there was no certificate from any consular in Nigeria or America in support of the judgement but insisted that the judgement speaks for itself.
He claimed to have read the whole judgement in America, adding that he would be surprised if no mention was made of $460,000 forfeiture.
Under cross-examination by counsel to APC, Lateef Fagbemi, the witness said the American court judgement had no certificate given under the hand of any American police officer.
He denied knowledge of a February 4, 2003 formal clearance report by a legal attaché from the American embassy in respect of the alleged indictment and forfeiture.
The court subsequently admitted it in evidence.
A suspected improvised explosive device (IED) detonated inside a mosque at Gamboru Market in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, on Wednesday evening, killing several worshippers and injuring others during Maghrib prayers.
The blast occurred around 6:00 p.m. local time, ripping through the crowded mosque and sparking widespread panic in the bustling market area.
Eyewitnesses described thick smoke billowing from the site as traders and residents fled, while others rushed to aid the victims.
Reports indicate at least seven people were killed, though official casualty figures are yet to be confirmed as rescue operations continue. Security forces, including the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, quickly cordoned off the area for sweeping operations and investigations.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the attack bears the hallmarks of previous incidents linked to Boko Haram or its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have targeted mosques and crowded places in the region despite relative calm in Maiduguri in recent years.
The incident, occurring on Christmas Eve, has heightened fears among residents amid ongoing insurgency challenges in northeast Nigeria.
Emergency responders are battling an intense inferno that has engulfed the 22-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House on Martins Street, Lagos Island, on Christmas Eve, with the blaze showing rapid upward momentum.
According to a situation report from the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the fire originated in an apartment on the 4th floor and quickly spread across that level before escalating upwards to the 6th floor.
LASEMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, stated that the Shark Response Team found the building fully engulfed upon arrival.
The number of casualties remains unascertained as firefighting and recovery operations are ongoing.
Multiple agencies are on the ground in a coordinated effort, including LASEMA Response Team, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Federal Fire Service, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), Nigeria Police, Red Cross, and LRU Paramedics. The Lagos Rescue Unit (LRU) Fire has also been activated.
A total of six fire trucks and a skylift are deployed to combat the blaze and bring it under control.
This incident disrupts festive activities in the commercial hub, raising fresh concerns about fire safety in high-rise buildings across Lagos.
News
President Tinubu Inaugurates High-Powered APC Committee to Resolve Internal Conflicts Ahead of 2027 Elections
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a strategic Committee on Strategy, Conflict Resolution and Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC), aimed at fostering unity and addressing internal disputes as the ruling party gears up for the 2027 general elections.
The committee, comprising prominent APC governors, federal ministers, and key stakeholders, is chaired by Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, with former APC National Legal Adviser Muiz Banire serving as Member/Secretary.
Members include Senator Adamu Aliero; Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma; Governors Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Uba Sani (Kaduna); Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola; Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle; and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Speaking at the inauguration in Lagos, Governor Buni thanked President Tinubu for the appointment and pledged the committee’s commitment to inclusive consultations and proactive conflict resolution.
He emphasised developing strategies that ensure aggrieved parties feel included while urging members to prioritise party interests over personal sentiments.
The move follows President Tinubu’s remarks at the APC’s 15th National Executive Committee meeting on December 19 in Abuja, where he stressed the importance of tolerance, accommodation, and cohesion to sustain the party’s progressive ideals.
This initiative signals the APC’s proactive efforts to strengthen internal harmony and mobilisation in preparation for future electoral challenges.
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