News

JUST IN: Appeal Court Affirms Mohammed As Bauchi Gov

Published

6 months ago

November 17, 2023

Editor

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has affirmed the victory of Bala Mohammed as the Governor of Bauchi State.

The PUNCH had reported that following the declaration of Mohammed as the winner of the gubernatorial election in Bauchi State by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Sadique Abubakar, approached the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in the State challenging the victory.

Chairman of the three-man panel, P T. Kwahar, in his judgment, affirmed the victory of Bala Mohammed, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

But not satisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, Abubakar, a former Chief of Staff, filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging the decision of the lower court.

But in a judgment on Friday, the Appellate Court dismissed the appeal filed by APC’s candidate and affirmed the victory of Mohammed.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Auwal Jatau, in a statement through his Special Assistant on Media, Muslim Lawal, expressed happiness over the Appeal Court verdict.

According to him, the deputy governor said the victory at the court not only affirms the strength of democracy, but solidifies the commitment of the administration of Bala Mohammed towards the progress, development, and general well-being of the people of the state.

He said that Jatau noted that the victory at the appeal court is a triumph for all the people of the state as it signifies the PDP-led administration’s collective endeavours in advancing good governance, providing quality education, ensuring accessible healthcare, fostering economic growth, and promoting peace and unity.

The Media Aide quoted his principal as saying: “I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to all the citizens of Bauchi state for their unwavering support and trust in our administration. It is their resilience, determination, and belief in our vision that has brought us to this remarkable milestone today. Their faith in us is what fuels us to tirelessly work towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

“I want to also express my sincere appreciation to the Appeal Court for ensuring a fair and transparent judicial process. The verdict is a testament to the efficacy of our justice system and its commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equity, and the rule of law.

“Our Governor’s victory is a victory for progress, for the downtrodden, and for every citizen who has entrusted their hopes and dreams to our administration.”

He said that the deputy Governor therefore, assured the people of Bauchi state of the commitment of the PDP-led administration to their welfare and the development of the state, pointing out that the victory is a fresh impetus to redouble their efforts, to remain focused, and to continue delivering on their campaign promises.

“On behalf of the entire stakeholders of our administration, I extend my profound gratitude to our Governor, His Excellency, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for his tenacity, courage, and resilience.

“His leadership has been pivotal in driving positive change and transforming the landscape of Bauchi state. We are proud to have him at the helm, steering us towards unity, prosperity, and a brighter future for all,” he said.

News

‘I’ve Become An Evangelist’ – Doyin Okupe

Published

50 mins ago

May 21, 2024

Editor

The former campaign director for the Labour Party during the 2023 presidential election, Doyin Okupe, has announced his new vocation as an evangelist of Jesus Christ following his recovery from cancer.

Detailing the challenges he faced with cancer, which initially appeared 16 years ago as prostate cancer and recently in the soft tissues of his right shoulder, Okupe highlighted the role of his medical treatment and divine intervention in his recovery.

“The first problem was cancer I had and the chemotherapy makes you lose appetite, you have nausea, and even as you sustain for several months, you lose weight,” he told Channels TV.

Okupe recounted how his weight dropped from 127kg to 97kg during chemotherapy and settled at 103kg after the treatment ended.

“In all these, I bear witness to God and Jesus Christ, I’m a testimony to the fact that there is nothing the Lord God Jehovah can’t do,” Okupe affirmed.

“From now on, I have become an evangelist and a witness for Christ.”

News

Court Dethrones Ondo Monarch After 29 Years Of Legal Tussle

Published

54 mins ago

May 21, 2024

Editor

Oba Micheal Adetunji Oluwole, the traditional ruler of Ute in the Ose local government area of Ondo state has been dethroned by a state High Court sitting in Owo, Owo local government area of the state after a legal tussle that lasted for 29 years.

Olule Omolaja Ruling House had challenged the retired Army Major’s right to ascend the throne.

Justice Ademola Enikuomehin who nullified the selection process that brought Oba Oluwole to the throne and ordered a fresh selection process into the stool, ordered Oluwole to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the town. The fresh selection process will be from the Olule Omoloja ruling house lineage.

According to Justice Enikuomehin, the dethroned monarch had no right to the throne as he’s not a member of the ruling house designated to fill the vacant throne of the town.

News

Pro-Fubara Lawmakers Confirm Eight Commissioner-nominees

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Editor

A faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara has confirmed eight commissioner-designates as members of the State Executive Council.

Fubara earlier sent the names of the nominees to the House led by the factional Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, for screening and confirmation.

The Assembly screened the nominees during their sitting at the temporary legislative chambers at the Administrative Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

Two former Commissioners, Dr Peter Medee and Eloka Tasie-Amadi, who served under the immediate past administration of Nyesom Wike as Energy and Works Commissioners respectively were asked by the House to take a bow and go.

The other six nominees were asked a few questions by the pro-Fubara lawmakers and were consequently confirmed as commissioner-designates.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, charged the commissioner-designates to contribute their quota in moving the state forward and assist the governor in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

He advised the governor not to be distracted but to continue his good works and pledged the House’s support to make him succeed.

He stated, “Those that are supposed to bring the dividends of democracy to our people. As a legislature, what we can do is to ensure that we create an atmosphere where His Excellency will do more.

“While we commend His Excellency for his numerous achievements in office, we also use this opportunity to call on His Excellency not to be distracted. We call on him to remain focused on the mandate that Rivers State’s people have given him.

“We also call on him not to be biased. He should continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.”

Speaking to newsmen after the screening, the Leader of the House, Sokari Goodboy, commended the governor on the calibre of people sent to the House for screening.

“Today, we held our sitting and in the Order Paper, we had the screening of eight commissioners and we know too well that the executive arm of the state needs to be filled and we are happy and proud of the nominees,” he said.