COVER
Presidential Election Tribunal Orders Tinubu, APC’s Response to PDP, APM, Others’ Applications
By Jude Opara & Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
The Presidential Election Petition Court in Abuja, yesterday ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to file their responses to all pending applications in the case instituted by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Tinubu winner of the 25 February presidential election.
But the APM, among other opposition political parties with their presidential candidates, is urging the court to nullify Tinubu’s victory on account of “his non-qualification as a candidate of” the APC.
At a pre-hearing session of the court yesterday, after taking submissions from lawyers to parties in the APM’s petition, a five-member panel of the court led by Haruna Tsammani, ordered all parties to file their responses to all pending applications before the next hearing date.
Justice Tsammani adjourned the petition until Thursday for continuation of the pre-hearing session.
Yesterday, APM’s lawyer, Oyetola Atoyebi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), informed the court that his client had responded to questions bordering on the pre-hearing session.
INEC lawyer, Abubakar Mahmoud, a SAN, said the commission, on 5 May, filed its responses to the pre-hearing questions.
“We have three applications listed and we will be moving the applications at the appropriate time,” Mr Mahmoud said.
Lateef Fagbemi, a SAN, who represents the APC and Akin Olujimi, another representing the vice president-elect Kashim Shettima and Mr Tinubu, both said they had responded to the preliminary questions raised by the court.
Similarly, Yomi Aliyu, lawyer to Kabiru Masari who was Mr Tinubu’s running mate, said his client filed responses to the pre-hearing questions on 3 May.
…Adjourns Till Tomorrow to Hear Opposition’s Petitions
The Presidential Election Petition Court, (PEPC), has adjourned pre-hearing in the petitions filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ and the Action Peoples Movement (APM) until Thursday
The five-member panel, led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned after listening to the adoption of answers by all the counsel in the petitions.
Atiku and the PDP in the petition dated March 21, 2023 are challenging the outcome of the Presidential election on Feb 25.
Respondents in the petition marked: CA/PEPC/05/2023, are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st Tinubu, 2nd and the APC as 3rd.
At the resumed pre-hearing, Chris Uche, SAN counsel for the petitioners, Atiku and PDP adopted their answers in the pre- hearing filed on April 27.
He added that the filed Motion on notice dated May 7 and served on all the respondents for permission to televise the sitting nationwide.
Counsel to INEC, Abubakar Mahmoud SAN adopted their answers in the pre- hearing information sheet filed on May 2.
Responding to the live coverage, he said they will await for a former response.
Similarly, counsel to Tinubu, Akin Olujimi, SAN adopted their answers in the pre-hearing information sheet filed on May 2.
He added that the have some applications to strike out this petition in addition to others.
Responding to the live coverage prayed by the petitioners, he said they will reply at the appropriate time.
Lastly, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, counsel to APC also adopted their answers filed their answers on May 2.
In paragraph 14 of the answers the 3rd respondent on May 8 filed two applications, one seeking the competent of the petition and dismissal of the petition.
He added that the 2nd one is seeking the striking out of the answers by the petitioners.
Responding to the motion for live coverage by the petitioners, he said they will reply at the appropriate time.
The panel led by Justice Haruna Tsammani adjourned until Thursday for continuation of the pre-hearing session at 2 pm.
He advised parties to harmonise their answers for consideration at the next adjourned date.
He added that the motion for live coverage by the petitioners filed on May 7 will be considered along others.
Similarly, The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in a a petition marked CA/PEPC/04/ challenging the outcome of the Feb 25 presidential election was also heard.
The respondents are Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Action Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Bola Tinubu, Sen. Kashim Shettima and Kabir Madari.
Counsel to the petitioners, S.A. Abubakar told the panel that on the behalf of the petitioners filed on April 21 and adopted it as answers to rely on during the proceedings.
Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN counsel to INEC adopted their answers filed on May 5 as their response to the petition.
Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, counsel for APC also adopted their answers filed on May 2,
He however, informed the panel that they filed two motions on May 8 which would be taken at the appropriate time.
Akin Olujimi for Tinubu and Shettima also adopted their answers filed on May 3.
Lastly, Mr Toni Aliyu, SAN also adopted their answers filed on May 2 with two applications to be heard at the appropriate time.
According to the APM, Tinubu and Shettima were not qualified to contest the election on the grounds of the alleged double nomination of the vice president-elect.
The panel headed by Justice Haruna Tsammani after listening directed parties to harmonise their answers and consider what to be taken and not.
He further adjourned the pre-hearing until Thursday.
Tinubu Asks Tribunal to Dismiss APM Petition
The President-elect, Bola Tinubu, has asked the election tribunal to dismiss the petition filed by the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
At the pre-hearing session, the Allied People’s Movement informed the court that they have filed a pre-hearing information sheet TF 008, and had adopted the answers therein.
Counsel to Tinubu, Akin Olujimi told the tribunal, that their response contains a prayer seeking the tribunal to dismiss the petition over claims of tit lacking merit.
The presidential election petitions tribunal would adjourn pre-hearing till May 11.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Haruna Tsammani, who adjourned the petition yesterday, asked parties to draw out the issues for determination.
He also ordered that parties should consider the documents they are objecting to and the ones they are not.
All responses should be filed so they can be heard.
The respondents – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), All Progressives Congress (APC), the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, as well as Kabiru Masari told the court they have filed their various answers to the questions in the petition.
Managing Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Mr Olasupo Olusi has reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting local manufacturing in Nigeria.Olusi said this when he visited the GU Ebeco facility and inspected ongoing projects at the Nisa Medical and Zeberced Group at the Idu Industrial Layout, Abuja yesterday.
He expressed delight at the progress made so far at the various facilities while commending the chief executives of the organisations, urging them to do more. During the visit to the GU Ebeco, the BOI boss emphasised the importance of job creation and the need for their products to proudly bear the “Made in Nigeria” label.Olusi praised GU Ebeco’s progress over the past seven years, applauding its expansion into a national enterprise with over 1,500 employees and several facilities across the country.“I am very happy with the fact that BOI has supported this enterprise for the last seven years. It is wonderful to see that it has grown.“It employs 1,500 staff, and operates a national distribution system. We are proud of the significant role GU Ebeco is playing in the Nigerian manufacturing landscape,” he said.The BOI boss also commended the loan repayment performance of the company saying it had taken multiple facilities from the BOI. He encouraged other young entrepreneurs to stay focused, while assuring them of BOI’s commitment to supporting them and Nigeria’s industrialisation efforts.Responding Mr Ebere Uzozie, Managing Director of GU Ebeco, expressed his appreciation for the continued support from the BOI.“We are grateful for the Bank of Industry’s backing. Their loans have helped us expand and create lasting change. We now have 34 facilities, and we are debt-free.” We are optimistic the visit will mark a new chapter for the company, and will ensure further growth and partnerships that will contribute to Nigeria’s industrial future,” Uzozie said.at the Zeberced Group, its Managing Director, Mr Aydin Kurt, said that Nigeria had lots of potential and could be the future of the world.While acknowledging the country’s potential in industrialisation, he emphasised the importance of producing locally in Nigeria rather than relying on imports.Kurt also appealed for more collaboration with the BOI to promote industrialisation, create jobs and help grow the economy.“I cannot do it alone. we have to come together and create a synergy to attract different investors to come and also invest in this country.“This is our vision we have a lot to share with you, and thank you once again for visiting our corporations,” he said.Responding, the BOI managing director said that the bank was keen on infrastructure and committed to supporting industrious infrastructure.“This project is very important to us and a critical objective for the county and, in that spirit, we have decided that we will continue to support the proliferation of industrial parts across the nation.Why yours is so unique is because it has a plan for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is very important.“We have a mandate to support that particular segment of our economy because they are the ones that champion job creation and most of the growth of the economy is attributed to them,” Olusi said.The BOI boss thanked Zeberced Group for the opportunity while commending the groups’ vision, energy and optimism to carry the project forward.“We look forward to our partnership. Like I said, we all want to be parts and parcel of this project, we have already given you some money to implement it, and we will see how we can do more.“As you expand we will support, but you have to also show us the job creation numbers, and make sure your goods are branded made in Nigeria,” he said.The News Agency of Nigeria reports that GU Ebeco is a furniture company while Zeberced is a construction company. NAN
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has unveiled an app to boost efficiency and mitigate the impact of road accidents in the country.Speaking at the event yesterday in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume explained that the app was designed to digitalize FRSC operations for effective traffic management.
The SGF who described the current rate of accidents as a great concern to the present administration, urged the FRSC management to involve stakeholders in the implementation of the app to monitor motorists and curb the excesses of FRSC officers and personnel. The Chairman, House Committee on Road Safety, Abiodun Adeshida said the National Assembly was ready to review the 2007 Federal Road Safety Corps Act for more efficient service delivery.The Kenyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Isaac Parashina said African countries have a lot to learn from the FRSC’s experience in addressing the high rate of road crashes across the continent.According to the him, Africans must come together and provide homegrown solutions to address road safety challenges.In his welcome remarks, the Corps Marshal FRSC, Shehu Mohammed stated that the innovation was part of efforts to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on the use of the new technology to strengthen the commitment of road users and enhancing road safety operations.Mohammed said the corps would embark on aggressive sensitization in all motor parks and town hall meetings for stakeholders to key into the new technology.The Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Mohammed Bulama expressed confidence that the new technology would bring sanity to Nigerian roads.Dr Bulama commended FRSC management for the new operational initiative and pledged FRCN’s continued support to every program to reduce death and enhance economic activities in the country.The Acting President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Isa Ore said leaders in the transport sector would contribute to the success of the application in saving lives on the highway.Other stakeholders in the transport sector promised to support FRSC in enforcing traffic laws and protect lives and property on Nigerian roads.
By David Torough, Abuja
Minister of State (Oil) Petroleum Resources Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday denied that the Federal Government is responsible for the Tuesday increase in the price of petrol, saying it is a function of deregulation.The latest hike in the price of petrol has pushed up transport fares by over 50 percent in major cities across Nigeria.
The increase implemented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL) Retail Management ranges from N855 to N897 per litre, depending on the location from the previous N568-N617. Independent marketers have adjusted their prices to between N930 and N1,200 per litre of petrol.The minister denied FG’s involvement while addressing State House correspondents after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja.Shettima had summoned Lokpobiri along with the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari and the National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu over the recent hike in the price of petrol.Lokpobiri said, “This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level.“What is important is that the product is available in the country. Between now and weekend, there will be availability of the product across the length and breadth of the country.“We believe that by the time there is availability of the product across the country, the price itself will stabilise.”Mr Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said regulatory efforts were geared toward stabilising supply of petrol in the country, which he said would impact positively on stability of price.Okuoha said, “The objective of the regulator is to ensure that there’s increased operating hours from all loading depots; vessels are being cleared promptly and extended hours where safety can permit truck outs as well.“More importantly also is the reinforcement of the support being given to local refinancing, because with increased production there will be higher supply, which will stabilise the price.”Despite making its product available, the Federal Government has not started lifting petrol from the Dangote Refinery.Yesterday, Dangote Group refuted the claim in the media that NNPCL is currently lifting petrol from its refinery and selling at N897 per litre.A statement signed by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina said the company has not yet finalised any contract with NNPCL.The statement entitled, “NNPC yet to lift our petrol” reads, “Our attention has been drawn to a headline “NNPC lifts Dangote Petrol, sells at N897 per litre” published in the BusinessDay Newspapers of Wednesday, 4 September 2024.“We would like to state that NNPCL has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote Petroleum Refinery.“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalize our contract with NNPCL.“The PMS market is strictly regulated, which is known to all oil marketers and stakeholders in the sector, hence we cannot determine, fix, or influence the product price, which falls under the purview of relevant government authorities.“We urge the public to disregard the headline as it is misleading and does not represent the true position in this matter.“We are guaranteeing Nigerians of exceptionally high quality petroleum products that will be readily available all over the country.”
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