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Tinubu Inconsistent About Date of Birth, Name, Certificates, Atiku Tells Tribunal
In response to president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘serial loser’ jab at the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, the former Vice President has said that he is nothing like Tinubu, whose candidacy is embroiled in controversies.
Tinubu was declared the winner of the February 25 presidential poll with 8,794,726 votes.
Abubakar polled 6,984,520 votes while Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), came third with 6,101,533 votes.
However, the PDP candidate is challenging Tinubu’s victory at the tribunal.
In the petition marked CA/PEPC/05/2023, Atiku and the PDP raised several claims including the allegation that Tinubu was not qualified to contest the election.
In a preliminary objection opposing the petition, Tinubu described the former Vice President as a serial loser who has “been consistently contesting and losing successive presidential elections in Nigeria since 1993, whether at the party primary election level or at the general election”.
While responding to Tinubu, Atiku admitted that he has been contesting presidential elections since 1993, but he has “a drug-free record”.
“The 1st petitioner, unlike the 2nd respondent (Tinubu), has consistently been contesting presidential elections, given the 1st petitioner’s drug-free record, and has never had controversy surrounding his age, circumstances of his birth, state of origin, gender, educational qualification, health status, working career, and citizenship, all issues bordering on constitutional qualification to contest for the office of the president of the federal republic of Nigeria,” Abubakar said.
He said the president-elect has “demonstrated inconsistency as to his actual date of birth, secondary schools he attended (Government College Ibadan); his state of origin, gender, actual name; certificates evidencing universities attended (Chicago State University).”
“The purported degree certificate of the 2nd respondent allegedly acquired at the Chicago State University did not belong to him but to a female (F) described as “F” in the certificate bearing the name Bola Tinubu.
“The 2nd respondent did not disclose to the 1st respondent (INEC) his voluntary acquisition of the citizenship of the Republic of Guinea with Guinean Passport No. D00001551, in addition to his Nigerian citizenship. The 2nd respondent is hereby given the notice to produce the original copies of his said two passports.”
The PDP candidate added that Tinubu, “has a record of criminal forfeiture of the sum of $460, 000 for the drug-related offence before the United States judge, John A Nordberg, in the 2nd respondent’s First Heritage Account No. 263226700, being proceeds of narcotics-trafficking in violation of 18 U.S C 1956 and 1947 for an offence involving narcotics”.
Meanwhile, Abubakar has rejigged his legal team, with Chris Uche taking over from Joe Gadzama, as the lead counsel.
Obi Accuses INEC of Move to Dismiss Petition Against Tinubu
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being partial.
The LP candidate was replying a preliminary objection filed by INEC at Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, which appeared to be in support of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), now the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the case before the Tribunal, Obi faulted the electoral body for standing by Tinubu.
He noted that both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal had in the past, cautioned INEC to place itself in a place of neutrality, remain fair and focused.
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate also stated that it is not only an embarrassment but a repudiation of the duty of INEC, when it adorned the garb of a contestant in an election it conducted as an umpire to raise preliminary objection against an election petition.
Obi added that he expected the electoral body to maintain a neutral stand in all litigations where participants in elections are challenging the outcome of the elections and not indulge in filling objections to the petition.
He also described as misconceived INEC’s preliminary objection against the petition he lodged against the declaration of Tinubu as winner of the presidential election.
President-elect, APC Stakeholders Visit Defence House
President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, and the Vice-President-elect, Sen. Kashim Shettima, alongside other APC stakeholders yesterday visited the Defecse House, Maitama, to inspect facilities.
The Defecse House will serve as official operational base of the President-elect till May 29, when he will be inaugurated as the country’s 16th democratically elected president.
Tinubu was also accompanied on the visit by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the APC National Chairman; Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, among others.
From the Defence House, Tinubu will receive briefings and hold key meetings as President-elect when he eventually moved into it.
This is not a new development as incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari also lodged at the same facility months before his inauguration on May 29, 2015, before he moved into his official residence at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Tinubu returned to Abuja on Monday aboard his private jet, accompanied by his wife, Oluremi, and son, Seyi, after a month-long trip to Paris.
The president-elect, who left Nigeria on March 21 for Paris on vacation after a hectic campaign and election season, on his return, said he was strong and ready to work.
He was quoted in a statement by one of his media aides, Mr Tunde Rahman, as saying: “I am ready for the task ahead.
“I have rested; I am refreshed and I am ready for the task ahead, forget about what the rumour mill may have told you. I’m strong; very strong.’’
On his plans for the country, Tinubu said he had been consulting and planning, with a view to putting together a strong team, so he could hit the ground running once he assumed office on May 29.
Since his return to the country, Tinubu’s residence in Asokoro had been a beehive of activities as APC stakeholders, including Adamu, its national chairman, had continued to throng in for consultations.
By Eze Okechukwu and Ubong Ukpong,Abuja
House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu in October 2024.The bills were passed at a session presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.
The development followed the adoption of the harmonised versions of the reform bills by both the House and the Senate. At plenary on Wednesday, the House of Representatives considered the report of the conference committee, which harmonised the bills. The Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos), who headed the House team to the conference committee, presented the conference report to the House for consideration.According to him, the Conference Committee met and agreed on all areas of difference in the version passed by both chambers of the National Assembly. He stated that there were 45 areas of difference in the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, 12 areas of difference in the Nigeria Revenue Service Bill, 9 areas of difference in the Joint Revenue Board Bill and 46 areas of difference in the Nigeria Tax Bill, adding that all grey areas were resolved ahead of the passage. While the conference committee agreed to retain the Senate version in some of the clauses, they also retained the House version in some others, making amendments in a few others. The conference committee agreed to the imposition of a 4 per cent development levy on the assessable profit of all companies chargeable to tax under Chapters 2 and 3, except small companies and non-resident companies. They also agreed that the levy shall be collected by the Nigeria Revenue Service and paid into a special account created for the same purpose.In the sharing formula, the committee agreed that 50 per cent of the tax would go to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, 15 per cent to the Education Loan Fund (up from 3 per cent agreed by the House), and 8 per cent to the Nigeria Information Technology Development Fund.
Similarly, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure is to get 8 per cent (down from 10 per cent earlier agreed by both chambers), the National Board for Technology Incubation is to get 4 per cent from the fund, defence and security infrastructure is to get 10 per cent while cyber security fund will get 5 per cent.
Meanwhile, the Social Security Fund, Nigeria Police Trust Fund, and National Sports Development Fund were excluded from the list of beneficiaries passed by the House of Representatives.
The committee also adopted a new clause 158, which imposes a 5 per cent surcharge on chargeable fossil fuel products provided or produced in Nigeria and shall be collected at the time a chargeable transaction occurs.
The controversial Value Added Tax sharing formula was not part of the areas of disagreement between the two legislative chambers.
In his remarks, Kalu said the parliament has played its part in ensuring that the country moves forward, even as he urged the executive arm of government to do its part.
In his contribution, a member of the House representing Gwoza/Damboa/Chibok Federal Constituency, Borno State, Ahmed Jaha warned those who will clean up the bill not to tamper with any of the clauses passed, saying “Where the T is not crossed, don’t cross it, where the I is not dotted, don’t do it. We have the original copies of the bills as passed before and after harmonisation.
“We have had cases in the past where those in charge of cleaning up the bills tamper with it and at the end of the day, the President will withhold assent. That must not happen.”
That said, the All Progressives Congress lawmaker singled out Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu for praise, saying, “I want to thank your leadership for the role you played in making these bills a success. I also want to thank the Chairman of the Committee, Abiodun Faleke. He showed that he is truly a good elder. He provided a lot of training for some of us, and I want to say that this is the way to go.”
In a related development, the Senate has approved the Rivers State 2025 budget for a second reading.
The budget, which totals ₦1,480,662,592,442 trillion, was presented by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday.
Bamidele explained that the Senate had assumed legislative powers over Rivers State following the declaration of a State of Emergency in the state.
Supporting the motion, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan emphasised the urgency of passing the budget to ensure that the people of Rivers State feel the impact of governance.
He said, “Mr. President, I am not exactly sure under what title this document is categorised, but from what I can see, it pertains to a budget under the state of emergency. I hereby support its passage for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government.”
With no opposition to the motion, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, conducted a voice vote and referred the budget to the Ad-hoc Committee on Overseeing the Rivers State of Emergency for further legislative action.
Senate announced that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, along with other key state officials, would appear before a Joint National Assembly Ad-hoc Committee to defend the state’s 2025 budget. NASS holds commemorate 25 years of democracy, holds joint session,
Also,President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has announced that a joint session of the National Assembly will be held on June 12 to commemorate Democracy Day.
He made the announcement after the upper chamber reconvened for plenary on Wednesday.
Akpabio revealed that the Senate leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate minority leader, Senator Abba Moro as well as the Chairman senate services, Senator Sunday Karimi will meet with their counterparts in the House of Representatives to finalize the programme of activities and coordinate arrangements for the special session.
By David Torough, Abuja
It was another historic milestone for pan-African investor Aliko Dangote and the Dangote Industries Limited over the weekend, as they garnered three prestigious accolades at the 15th annual Brand Africa 100 awards, held at the iconic Africa Hall in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia—the birthplace of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union (AU).
Dangote Industries Limited was named Most Admired African Brand, following an independent, consumer-led survey conducted across more than 30 African countries. The company was also inducted into the Brand Africa Hall of Fame, becoming the first African firm to receive this distinction. The induction recognises Dangote’s transformative impact on African consumers and its influential role in shaping a positive narrative for the continent.President/Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his leadership in driving impactful industrialisation, establishing a world-class African brand and reshaping the continent’s economic future through a benchmark, homegrown enterprise.Joining Dangote Industries in the inaugural Hall of Fame were MTN, M-Pesa, Ethiopian Airlines, and South Africa, for consistently ranking among Africa’s most admired brands over the past 5 to 15 years and for building sustainable, globally respected brands.Reacting to the awards, Group Chief Branding & Communications Officer, Dangote Industries Limited, Anthony Chiejina, said the honours reflect the unwavering commitment, excellence, and innovation that define the group’s journey. He added that they are a testament to the dedication of the company’s outstanding team, partners, and stakeholders, who continue to believe in the mission to drive sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.”We also extend our heartfelt appreciation for the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to our Founder and President, Aliko Dangote for building a purposeful world-class industrial brand that has exceptionally transformed African lives and the African narrative. This accolade celebrates not only his visionary leadership but also his tireless efforts in transforming industries, creating opportunities, and championing African enterprise on the global stage. His legacy is an inspiration to generations of entrepreneurs and leaders across Africa,” he said.Noting that the recognition would further inspire the company to push boundaries, empower communities, and deliver meaningful value across Africa and beyond, Chiejina reaffirmed Dangote Industries’ commitment to excellence, integrity, and transformative growth.In his keynote address, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa, Mr Claver Gatete, praised Aliko Dangote, the Hall of Fame inductees, and the Brand Africa laureates for advancing the African agenda.He highlighted the alignment between Brand Africa and the ECA’s mission to promote inclusive industrialisation, regional integration, and private sector-led growth. He also called for increased investment in youth-led innovation, regional value chains and the establishment of a Pan-African Creative Innovation Fund to identify, finance and globalise Africa’s most promising brands.”I wish to particularly acknowledge MTN, Dangote Group, mPesa and Ethiopian Airlines for consistently maintaining their distinguished positions among the “Most Admired African Brands” category and continuing to set benchmarks in brand leadership, innovation and continental impact,” he said.
By Johnson Eyiangho and Laide Akinboade Anima, Abuja
A team from the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday sealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.The sealing of the PDP secretariat came barely 24 hours to the much anticipated meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) scheduled for Tuesday.
The national secretariat also serves as the venue to the PDP NEC meeting. A joint taskforce comprising officials from the FCTA, Police, DSS, Army, NDLEA and NSCDC stormed the Secretariat at about 2.04pm and sealed the office shortly after a crucial meeting of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC).However, after a briefing meeting between the FCTA and PDP officials, all cars parked in the premises of the Secretariat were allowed to move out, while the PDP’s officials rushed to Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge for the Caucus meeting of the party.The sealing of the Secretariat is widely perceived as a strategic escalation in Wike’s ongoing feud with leadership of the party, particularly those pushing for the removal of his lackey, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu, as National Secretary of the party.Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has vowed that the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Tuesday May 27, 2025 will be held as scheduled.A party official who did not want to be named described the sealing of the Secretariat as a temporary setback, vowing that all party activities leading to NEC and beyond will continue.The National Caucus Meeting, Board of Trustees and Governors meetings are part of activities ahead of the NEC meeting.The FCT Minister had revoked over 4,700 properties due to long-standing non-payment of ground rent to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).Also affected by the Monday exercise are Access Bank, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Ibro Hotel and Total Energy in Abuja.The enforcement, which began in the Wuse District, was led by FCT Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze and Director Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima.Speaking during the sealing of Plot 534, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse Zone 1, belonging to Total PLC, Galadima said, “Today is about walking the talk. We announced this earlier, and we are here to implement what we said to take possession of all revoked properties, starting with this plot.”He noted that the Total PLC property had accumulated over 10 years of unpaid ground rent, leading to its revocation in March 2025.Also sealed was the Access Bank branch located on Plot 2456, Wuse 1, Cadastral Zone A02. The property, however, belongs to Rana Taher Furniture Nigeria Limited and was revoked due to 34 years of unpaid ground rent.Galadima said the enforcement would proceed to other parts of the city, including the Central Area, after the Wuse district.Tinubu Intervenes, Gives 14-days GracePresident Bola Tinubu has intervened on the ongoing enforcement of possession of 4,794 properties revoked for non-payment of ground rent from 10 to 43 years and has given them 14 days ultimatum to pay up.This was revealed at a briefing by the Director of Land Administration, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, in Abuja.He said the defaulters have been given 14 days to pay up all outstanding and the penalty fees.The Director of Land noted that even though properties owned by government institutions, corporate organisations and individuals were affected, the Administration is committed to carrying out its functions without fear or favour.He said, “However, the President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has intervened. Therefore, by Mr. President’s intervention, holders of the affected properties now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to settle the outstanding Ground Rents, with associated penalties.”For properties in the Central Area, the sum of N5 million will be paid by the defaulters as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.”Those in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse II, and Guzape Districts will pay the sum of N3 million as penalty, in addition to the Ground Rent owed.”Defaulters in Wuse I, Garki I and Garki II will pay N2 million as penalty in addition to the Ground Rent owed”.He added, “Also, all those who purchased properties from other people, but are yet to register their interests by obtaining the mandatory Minister’s Consent and registering their Deeds of Assignment now have 14 days (TWO WEEKS) to do so at the FCT Department of Land Administration.”Furthermore, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, has granted a 14 days (TWO WEEKS) grace period to all property holders in the FCT to pay up their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O)/Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills, or risk revocation of those titles”.The FCT Minister therefore urged property owners in the FCT to ensure that they pay all necessary bills and charges on their properties as at and when due, so as to enable the government to continue to carry out necessary developmental projects for the benefit of the people.
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